Review of Rainforest World Music Festival
This review of the Rainforest World Music Festival highlights what happens at one of the most interesting music festivals in Malaysia, held at the Sarawak Cultural Village near
Kuching.
The 2012 lineup promises something different as local
Malaysian star Zee Awi makes her debut here for the first time at this festival.
This is one of the biggest and longest-running unique festivals in the history of Malaysia and held in the heavily cultured state of Sarawak.
Branded as a show not to be missed, many international performers make their way here to showcase some of the world’s best cultural and ethnic music.
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| Official Rainforest World Music Festival poster for 2012 |
Converging at Santubong, a 45-minute drive from Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak, it is like an annual pilgrimage for these music lovers who come to attend the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).
The festival has been voted by Songlines, a renowned world music magazine, for three consecutive years as the top 25 international festivals to attend in the world.
In its 15th year, this annual event is organized by the Sarawak Tourism Board and is a three-day celebration of daytime music workshops and action-packed nightly shows.
It is here where people, regardless of their ethnicity, cultural backgrounds and music interests, come together for three magical days for a fun-filled, wholesome festival experience with a country fair atmosphere amidst lush greenery.
Below is the list of confirmed performers for the Rainforest World Music Festival 2012.
RWMF Performers for 2012
Zee Avi – MalaysiaMalaysian singer-songwriter, guitarist and ukulele player
who was born in Miri, Sarawak but lives in the United States now. She
was first discovered from a song she had posted up on YouTube for a
friend. Zee Avi has since then released several albums and is making a
special appearance at the festival.
The Music of Sarawak – MalaysiaThe music and instruments of Sarawak are as diverse and
lush and poly-layered as its rainforests. Gongs, from the large hanging
ones that represent the standing of the owner to the small melodically
tuned ones; huge log drums to the hand-held frame ones; all kinds of
innovative bamboo instruments; and of course the majestic sape,
Hata – The One – Malaysia, Korea, Turkey, Taiwan
They encapsulate the many facets of Asia – capturing,
molding, fusing, and coming up with a unique sound yet completely
enchantingly Eastern. Usually a 24 member group, they are coming as a 9
piece with musicians from Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan and Turkey.
Rhythm of Borneo – Malaysia
Between the years of 1998-2008, Ainal Johari joined several
well-established bands from Sarawak such as TUKU’ KAME’, TABUH PAK
AINAL and JERRY KAMIT & FRIENDS to perform in the world-class
Rainforest World Music Festivals.
Mamadou Diabate– Mali / Burkina Faso
I was born in 1973 into a West African “Jeli” family in
Burkina Faso. In my family there is a long tradition of practising the
profession of story telling and music making (playing the balafon).
Le Trio Joubran – PalestineThree brothers descending from a family of
« Oud » makers and players since four generations… the grand
grand-father, the grand-father, the father and now, Samir, Wissam and
Adnan have transformed this instrument into a passion, a skill, a life.
Samuel Dass & Prakash – MalaysiaSamuel J. Dass, or Sam as he is fondly known in the music
circle, was born on the 16th of March, and started his love affair with
the Sitar at the tender age of 7. His first guru was his father, Mr.
Jabamalai Dass, who drilled in him the basics of sitar playing.
Khusugtun – MongoliaThe meaning of the name ‘Khusugtun’ The word khusug mean a
cart of pastoral nomads. ‘Khusugtun’ means nomads, or more precisely
people who move with carts.
Diplomats Of Drum – Malaysia
Spreading the love for beats and rhythms across
international shores, The Diplomats of Drum has received universal
acclaim as Malaysia’s chief world music percussion troupe.
Raiz De Cafezal– Brazilian Amazonian Indians
The Carimbó is one of the rhythms from the Brazilian
Amazonian Indians, however, as diverse other Brazilian cultural
manifestations, it was mixed and received other influences, mainly
African.
La Zikabilo– France
This energetic brass band from France handles many musical
styles with ease and infectious joy. Since their Beginning back in 1999,
LA ZIKABILO transports through multiple horizons such as Jazz, Gypsy
music, French chanson, Latino music, Rock’n’roll, Reggae rhythms.
Oreka Tx – SpainNömadak Tx is a project by Harkaitz Mtez, De San Vicente
and Igor Otxoa, Oreka Tx. These Basque txalapartaris had a dream: they
thought up a project that was to mark a turning point in the history of
thisunique musical percussion instrument.
String Sisters – Celtic music from Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, USAFeaturing some of the traditional music world’s top female
fiddlers, the members of the String Sisters
gather together for a concert Annbjørg Lien from Norway joins Catriona
Macdonald from Shetland, Liz Carroll and Liz Knowles from America,
Mairead ni Mhaonaigh (Altan) from Ireland and Emma Härdelin from
Sweden.
Kanda Bongo Man – Congo – UK Based
The man who single-handedly gave the world the infectious
Kwasa Kwasa dance; Kanda Bongo Man is one of the most well known stars
of world music, and one of the first pioneers of he African Soukous
music.
Cankisou– Czech Republic
No. 17th in the World music chart Europe in November 2011,
performance at Sziget 2010 (world music stage). One of the top world
music bands in the Czech republic which has already made audience in 14
countries dance with its original ethnic fusion full of wild rhythms and
spiced with rock roots.
Danyel Waro– Reunion Island
Sega, a traditional Indian Ocean dance rhythm, is
internationally known, but few people outside the island of Reunion have
heard of maloya. Maloya is a compound rhythm on which plantation
workers have long been singing their joys and woes. It’s a sort of
réunionese blues.
There will be a line-up of 12 international bands and 6 Malaysian bands playing a diverse range of world genres, and the festival is featuring 7 different
acts per night over 3 nights of pure music.
RWMF Workshops
Spread throughout the village, there will be afternoon informative workshops,
ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini-concerts, followed by
evening performances on the main stage has proven to be a hit, with the audience, who come from near and far.
Food & Village Mart
A Food & Village Mart offers visitors local crafts, souvenir items. On the F&B part, choose from international to local food and drinks. A total of 30 stalls will be selling all of these throughout the village.
RWMF Store
The RWMF store is filled with Rainforest World Music Festival merchandise. A great place to get yourself a
souvenir t-shirt or your favourite artist CD. You can also get some of the performing artist to sign your CDs during the signing times. Check with the store.
Visit the official website for the Rainforest World Music Festival.
RWMF Organizer:
Sarawak Tourism Board
5th – 7th Floor, Yayasan Sarawak Building
Jalan Masjid, 93400 Kuching
Sarawak, Malaysia
Telephone : +6 082 423600
Fax : +6 082 416700
Conclusion
green paradise that is the mythical land of Sarawak.
We bid you,
‘Selamat Datai‘ (Which means Welcome in Iban) to all those attending the RWMF. If you have never been to this amazing festival and want to explore Sarawak, here is your chance to plan ahead for the upcoming Rainforest World Music Festival.
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