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The differences and sameness of RWMF’s mini sessions

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RWMF mini sessions
Slobodan Trkulja from Serbia teaching the crowd about the kolo dance.

Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) internationally known for its melting pot of different cultures and music was held for the 21st time recently from July 13 till 15.

While the audience reached its peak number on Saturday night, those who had attended the whole three-day festival would agree the real fun and magic happens during the afternoon sessions.

Now rebranded as ‘mini sessions’, the activities still carried the essence of RWMF workshops.

It had everything from interactive learning about world music instruments to impromptu jamming among the musicians.

RWMF 2018 Mini Sessions

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Rainforest World Music Festival would not be complete without the dance interactive workshop.

This year, RWMF saw an increase from the usual 27 to 50 sessions and even spread out from its official venue of Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) to nearby Damai Central.

Since its first installment in 1997, the afternoon sessions have seen a number of improvements and changes over the years.

One of its usual sites for the afternoon workshops, the Malay house had been completely dedicated to children sessions; a thoughtful move since the Malay house can only cater to a small crowd and it has usually been packed and hot during the afternoon workshops in previous years.

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Festival goers participating the traditional hoop dance of the Lakota (a Native American tribe) workshop.

Speaking of changes, the drum circle session by 1Drum.org saw a change of scenery from its usual spot in front of the jungle stage.

For the first two days of RWMF, the circle took place at the Big Tent Damai Central before it was moved back on the final day to where it has usually been held since 2014 .

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The first two days of RWMF saw the drum circle by 1drum.org flocking the Big Tent at Damai Central.

However, the mini sessions still carried on its crowd favourite activities especially the themed music demonstrations and dance workshops.

For example of themed music demonstrations was the “Rhythm’s Gonna Get You”, a workshop featuring an array of different percussion.

This year’s percussion demonstration was conducted on Saturday showcasing a bedok (a Bidayuh drum from Sarawak), darbuka, conga and even a human percussion, a beatboxer.

Other themes music demonstrations were wind instruments, plucked stringed instruments and lutes from two continents Africa and Asia.

During these demonstrations, each musician had a chance to introduce their instrument before all of them coming together to produce an impromptu performance.

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A percussion-themed demonstration organised on Saturday (July 14) at the Dewan Lagenda.

Another crowd favourite every year and usually packed with participants is the dance interactive workshop.

Every year, SCV’s Dewan Lagenda and Iban Longhouse had played host to many dances from all over the world.

This year, these locations had witnessed cumbia (folkloric dance from Colombia), traditional hoop dance of the Lakota (a Native American tribe), kolo (a Serbian circle dance) and among others.

After 21 years in business, RWMF overall had its tweaks here and there yearly and some tweaks stay while others don’t.

Evidently the organiser, Sarawak Tourism Board gave the best to cater to all types of festival goers every year including those families with small children and fitness enthusiasts.

Apart from the mini sessions, there were also programmes for wellness and lifestyle such as yoga, zumba and belly dance as well as children sessions which were started a couple years ago.

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Each location now has its lineup activities displayed.

More photos:

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Forbidden Fruits: The most Instagram-worthy spot of Rainforest Fringe 2018

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What can you make out of this surreal art installation?

The Forbidden Fruits, an art installation of large woven fruits exhibited at Borneo744 as part of the Rainforest Fringe have been making the rounds on the Internet, especially Instagram.

Thanks to surreal lighting effects and creative application of different Sarawakian ethnic weaving styles and skills, the installation has been receiving many visitors since it was first opened to the public on July 7.

Forbidden Fruits, an art installation like no other

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Adults and children alike taking photos at the art installation.

Looking at the project as a whole, it is a narration of the life-cycle of fruits from seeds to germination, from propagation to decay.

Each art piece was actually a woven craft made by several of Sarawak’s indigenous communities.

Altogether there were 60 uniquely woven ‘fruits’ making up the ensemble of Forbidden Fruits, a project which seeks to investigate the possibilities of expression through traditional rattan weaving, in order to restore that sense of meaningful in the modern context.

It is also set out to navigate the social acceptability and taboos as fruits when ripe is suitable for consumption but forbidden to consume almost at other stages.

This serves the question of why sex is still uncomfortable conversation to be had in public.

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An art piece inspired by Iban’s ketapu tunjang.

For non-artistic people who might not understand the poetic message behind the installment, the lighting and beautiful hand-crafted pieces make great background for photo-op.

Upon closer inspection, visitors might recognise some of Sarawak’s woven crafts such as the Iban ketapu tunjang (a hand woven rattan headgear with several pointed tops), an Orang Ulu ajat (rattan basket) and bubu (woven fish trap).

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Several half-finished rattan baskets dangling from the ceiling as part of the Forbidden Fruits art installment.

Ropes to give the impression of hanging roots, dried leaves and sawdust on the floor add to the feel that you’re stepping through the rainforest.

The Forbidden Fruits is a collaboration between Tanoti Crafts, Ranee Gift Gallery, Edric Ong, Keynote.Co, Justlight Enterprise and IDC Architects.

Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) visitors will be able to enjoy this installation for free till July 15 before it makes its Penang debut at George Town Festival this coming August.

About Rainforest Fringe Festival

Returning for the second time, Rainforest Fringe Festival aims to bring the best of Sarawak’s music, art, craft, film, photography, food and culture.

Held from July 6 to 15, the festival is held at different venues in Kuching including the Old Courthouse, Carpenter Street and Pullman Hotel.

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The floor is covered with wood-dust and dried leaves.
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The Forbidden Fruits art installation is definitely an Instagram-worthy spot.

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Celebrating food, craft and arts with Sarawak Culinary Adventure

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A visitor trying to capture a serunding-making demonstration on video.

India Street Pedestrian Mall, which is usually quiet at night came alive during the recent Sarawak Culinary Adventure from July 6 to 8.

Themed “A Celebration of Food. Craft. Arts.”, the event was organised by the Sarawak Culinary Heritage and Arts Committee.

The committee is a nonprofit group aiming to introduce Sarawak’s rich and diverse cuisines as a platform to promote tourism.

A celebration of food, craft and arts with Sarawak Culinary Adventure

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India Street Pedestrian Mall came alive at night during the Sarawak Culinary Adventure festival.

More than 50 stalls selling about 120 dishes from the Iban, Kayan, Kenyah, Bidayuh, Melanau, Malay, Punjabi, North Indian, Kelabit and Chinese communities.

For three nights, foreign and local visitors alike flocking more than 150-year-old street for to taste the various culinary heritage of Sarawak.

Guests were able to choose from Foochow’s Mee Sua, to Kayan’s dinu (rice fritters) and Iban’s ayam pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo).

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Sape player Danison Manium giving a live demonstration of sape music.

During the event, patrons were also treated to different Sarawak musical heritage such as Orang Ulu’s Sape, Indian dhol and Bollywood dancing, Chinese opera as well as Melanau bamboo dance.

Hyped with the great food and exciting music, the street was turned into a dance floor at some points with visitors from different age and races dancing together.

Another highlight of the event was the KINO Heritage Live Kitchen, a free workshop and live demonstration to give visitors a hands-on experience of preparing some of Sarawak signature cuisine.

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All business in the chapati-making competition.

These workshops include how to make Melanau linut, Malay serunding, ketupat weaving and even Chinese mooncake.

On top of the food, music and dancing, Sarawak Culinary Adventure gave local crafters a platform to promote their crafts such as bead necklaces, handmade soaps and sape.

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There were plenty of Sarawak crafts on sale too.

The culinary event kept the environment in mind by preparing bins for proper food waste disposal.

Local social enterprise WormingUp was there to collect the waste and also educate the visitors on food waste dilemma.

The Sarawak Culinary Adventure festival was also held in conjunction with the Rainforest Fringe Festival from July 6 to 15 in Kuching.

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Erhu and ruan players performing on stage during Sarawak Culinary Adventure.
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A dancer in Orang Ulu warrior attire performing at India Street.
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A vendor making oyster omelette.
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The Chinese Opera troupe performing a traditional piece.
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Get to know Sarawak’s unique edible jungle seeds and fruits.
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Barbecued goodies anyone?
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A stall selling books by Sarawak authors.
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A festival goer browsing through the array of bead jewellery.
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Did somebody call me? Sarawak Culinary Heritage and Arts Committee president Datin Dona Drury Wee enjoying the festivities.
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Sarawak Culinary Adventure was a place to enjoy good food make toasts to new and old friends.
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A festival is not a festival until there’s dancing!
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A demonstration on how to make Malay ginger serunding.

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What makes a good tourism board website?

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Although some travellers prefer travel blogs and social media, tourism board websites still remain important resources for accurate information on travelling to a specific country.

Most tourism board websites have evolved over the years, utilising social media platforms such as Instagram to promote their countries and give more insights on travelling tips.

While others still have lots to improve on, (*cough cough* Malaysia…) here are some things which can make a tourism board website stand out:

1. Good travel stories

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Lake Tekapo in New Zealand. Credits: Pixabay.

Gone are the days where tourism board websites are only filled with press releases of official events.
For example, Tourism New Zealand’s media section has plenty of stories (and story ideas) covering a wide range of topics from activities and sports to nature and ecotourism as well as insights on Maori culture.
Go behind the scenes of famous eateries in New Zealand as the website also features interviews with chefs.

2. Full of tips and guides

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Yosemite National Park in California, US. Credits: Pixabay.

There are a lot of tips and guides out there but what we need is specificity.
Like in the blogosphere, some travel bloggers are specialised in luxury travel while others give backpacking and budgeting tips.
When it comes to a good tourism board website, what we need it to be is an all-rounder.
It needs to be full of tips and guides covering all travelling needs.
The Visit California website, for example, offers various tips from how to travel with kids to how to pack for a trip to California.

3. It is all about the details

A good tourism board website website will tell you things that you never thought you needed to know.
Is the place wheelchair friendly? Do they provide baby strollers?
Is it kid-friendly? Where else can you visit in the nearby areas?
Go To Bermuda for instance, even explains to its future visitors how it’s like to drive in Bermuda.

4. More about food please

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A night view of Stockholm. Credits: Pixabay.

To write about eating places is more than just listing down what to eat at a certain town.
Again, travellers need and want the details.
One very good example is Visit Stockholm website.
If it is a restaurant you are looking for, it narrows down to budget, mid-price or gourmet categories.
Looking for a cafe? Do you want it to be a cozy, trendy or a classic cafe?
How about a place to hit at night in town? The website details to a bar, a place with live music, or a club and even an LGBT bar.

5. Don’t forget about pop culture

gwanghwamun 2088592 1280Pop culture tourism is the reason why The Abbey Road in London is famous. We want to go where the famous people go, to eat what the famous people eat, to visit where the famous films or dramas were filmed.
South Korea capitalises the popularity of its Kpop and Korean dramas by promoting Kpop music festivals and filming locations.
Visit Korea website lists downs all the filming locations for famous dramas including Goblin, Legend of the Blue Sea, Love in Moonlight, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Uncontrollably Fond.

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Retelling the legend of Rentap at Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival

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Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) rebranded its annual World Harvest Festival to Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival this year.

Regardless of the rebranding, the highlight of the event remains its signature musical theme play which tells the tales and folklore of one of Sarawak’s many ethnic groups every year.

On April 28 the Iban community was this year’s featured ethnic group as they paid tribute to famous Iban warrior Rentap in a play called Rentap: The Untold Story.

Sarawak Harvest Folklore FestivalEach year, the act takes on a different ethnic group’s folk tales or stories and this year they featured the Iban community.

 

Although it did not present an exactly “untold” story of Rentap, the musical did highlight a number of important yet little known facts about him and his life.

Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival theme play

Born Libau anak Ningkan, Rentap was a great war chief who led a rebellion against the Brooke administration during the 19th century.

The tale of this fierce warrior took a romantic detour by showing the courtship and marriage between Rentap and his wife Sawai.

Besides Sawai, the musical introduced another important key person in Rentap’s life – Chief Orang Kaya Pemanca Dana Bayang.

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Rentap and Sawai courting under the moonlight during the musical act set on the SCV’s lake.

He was Rentap’s mentor who accompanied him on ngayau (ngayo) expeditions into West Kalimantan.

Of the numerous battles Rentap fought against the Brooke administration (spanning from James Brooke’s reign to Charles Brooke), the play featured a few important ones like the battle of Kerangan Peris in 1844 (which caused the death of a British officer known only as Mr Stewart) and the battle of Lintang Batang in 1853. The latter was a bloodbath which saw Alan Lee, another British officer beheaded by Rentap’s son in-law Layang.

The final battle was at Bukit Sadok, Rentap’s fort. It was during this battle Rentap suffered a great loss, marking the end of his war against the White Rajah.

The battle at Bukit Sadok also introduces ‘Bujang Sadok’, a 12-pounder brass cannon used by Charles Brooke as they attacked his fort. Historically, the shot from Bujang Sadok penetrated Rentap’s fort, killing the gunner operating his own cannon named ‘Bujang Timpang Berang’.

Bujang Sadok is now on display at The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita while Bujang Timpang Berang is at the Betong District Office.

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Watch out for the gunshots (fireworks)!
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A temporary wooden hut was set on fire during the play.

The verdict on Rentap: The Untold Story

Although most history purists would agree that the storyline of this Rentap musical was over-fictionalised, the play did capture Rentap’s famed courage and the essence of the Iban community in the olden days.

With fireworks depicting cannon ball explosions and gunfire, the musical act delivered an impressive array of special effects to the whole performance.

 

A scene showcasing the Battle of Beting Maru, where Brooke troops ambushed the Ibans was equally impressive. A wooden hut suddenly shot up in flames during the battle leaving the audience gasped in awe.

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Rentap and his army fleeing from an ambush by Brooke troops.

 

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The Brooke troop celebrating their victory on Bukit Sadok.

Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival events

Apart from the musical theme play, Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival featured other events including Miss Cultural Festival 2018 and Sape World Concert.

Held from Apr 17 to 28, visitors also got to enjoy the Tribal Ironman Challenge and Sarawak Kitchen Food Culinary Competition.

Going into its 11th year, the festival is a prelude to the statewide Gawai Dayak celebration.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports together with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation supported the event.

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