The Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival returned for its 17th installment this year to Carpenter Street, one of the oldest streets in the city.
The event started from Sept 17 and will be ending on September 24 and runs from 6pm to 11pm.
With the slogan “Sight, Sound and Taste”, the nightly event showcases the different food, music and cultures of various ethnicities in Sarawak.
Organised by The Federation of Kuching Division Community Association with Kuching Old Market Community Association, the festival promises eight days of fun-packed activities for all ages.
The different sights, sounds and tastes at Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival
As celebration in Sarawak is nothing without food, there are so many cuisines to choose from at the Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival.
From traditional Chinese food to Dayak barbecued goodies, visitors will be spoilt for choice.
Patrons can quench their thirst with a variety of drinks such as Thai milk tea, Vietnamese coffee and assorted bubble teas.
For those who are health-conscious, Kuching Chinese Traditional and Holistic Natural Medicine Association is there to provide free medical checkup.
Apart from that every night from 8am to 9pm, there will be Street Magic Show happening along Carpenter Street.
Making its return this year is 2017’s RM2 Charity Haircut where hairdressers from Maison Monica Hair & Beauty Academy are offering haircut services. The proceeds will be donated to Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).
Other activities are children’s colouring competition, lantern fabrication competition, snow skin mooncake making contest and photography competition.
Local patrons who are diving are advised to park their vehicles at Plaza Merdeka, St. Thomas Cathedral or the Kuching Waterfront.
About Mooncake Festival
The mooncake festival or mid-autumn festival is a harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar.
This year, the festival falls on Sept 24. On this day, the traditional delicacy called mooncake is enjoyed and shared among family and friends.
The eight-day Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival promises fun activities for all ages.
There will be a live Chinese orchestra performance at one end of Carpenter Street.
A glass of Vietnamese coffee to quench your thirst.There will be performances by different ethnic groups every night and visitors are more than welcome to join in the fun.Have some mooncakes which are inspired by Sarawak kek lapis.Oyster pancakes fresh off the stove.
Different kinds of sausage, anyone?Visitors can also enjoy freshly fried dumplings at the Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival.
The friendly ice-cream goyang vendor will let customer to shake the traditional Popsicle making machine.To carry brightly-lit lantern like this is part of celebrating the mooncake festival.Trader selling lanterns at the Kuching Multicultural Mooncake Festival.A dragon dance performance happening at The Hong San Si Temple.A taste of Thailand at The Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival.There are various street performances happening at almost every corner of Carpenter Street.Patrons enjoying their foods as well as the performances.
Kuching, also known as Cat City, the capital of Malaysian state of Sarawak is a vibrant, colourful city.
It is a mixture of old and new; with traces of the 150 year reign of the Brooke family as well as recent modern development under the Malaysian federation.
Most foreign tourists treat Kuching as the main gateway to visit the rest of Sarawak and Borneo.
The city itself , however, has so much to offer. Here in KajoMag, we highly suggest not to leave the Cat City of Sarawak until you have done these 10 things:
1.Learn the cultures
Kuching is a multi-cultural city and a visit to it is incomplete without learning about the different cultures.
The best place to absorb and experience the different cultures Is one place is none other than Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).
It is a living museum showcasing the different ethnicitIes of Sarawak including Iban, Orang Ulu, Chinese, Malay, Melanau and Bidayuh.
Baruk, the Bidayuh Cultural House at Sarawak Cultural Village.
2.Eat your heart out
Kuchingites are foodies to their core and they are very proud of their food. Plus thanks to the city’s multicultural backgrounds, it offers more variety of food inspired by different races in the Sarawak.
If you are stuck on what to eat in Kuching, here are KajoMag’s list of what to devour in Cat City.
Sarawak’s wide range of biodiversity is the state’s crown jewel. The best part of Kuching is that you do not need to travel far to experience its rich flora and fauna.
While in Cat City, skip the shopping malls and walk on the streets of its old town.
Visitors can start with the Main Bazaar, the oldest street in Kuching located at the Kuching Waterfront. Explore Carpenter, India and Padungan streets and let the different smells and sound excite you.
5.Visit the museums
The Textile Museum of Sarawak.
Did you know that the Sarawak Museum’s old wing was built in 1891, making it the oldest museum in Borneo?
Besides Sarawak Museum, there are other museums in Kuching as well including Textile Museum, Chinese History Museum, Art Museum, The Brooke Gallery and Islamic Heritage Museum.
Since you are in Cat City, do not forget to visit Kuching Cat Museum.
6.Spend a day at Santubong peninsular
Spend a day at the foot of Mount Santubong.
Located only 40 minutes from Kuching city, Santubong peninsular provides the perfect place for a little R&R.
It is the perfect place to have the best of mountain and the sea. There are so many things to do that you can actually spend the whole day at the peninsular. Visitors can start a day with hiking at Santubong National Park, have a quick kayaking at Permai Rainforest Resort in the afternoon and end the day with a beer at Damai Central.
7.See the wildlife up-close
Tourists admiring the magnificence of orangutans at Semenggoh.
A trip to one of the cities in Borneo is never complete without seeing wildlife up close.
Sarawak Post Office is one of the heritage buildings found in Kuching.
With a rich history spanning over 150 years, Kuching has so much to offer when it comes to heritage buildings.
Only in Kuching, you can find the only Japanese building built during World War II, a prison turned into a fortress and which now houses a restaurant at Square Tower and a neoclassical style post office.
9.Experience at least one festival
The Rainforest World Music Festival brings international performers to Kuching for a 3-day immersion of world music.
However like any other city in Malaysia, you can experience different kind of festivals all year round.
Experience the harvest festival with the Ibans or Bidayuh during Gawai or go house-visiting during Chinese New Year or Hari Raya Adilfitri.
10.Hop into the coffee culture
The coffee culture in Kuching city has its own charm. First of all, Sarawak has its own coffee bean called the Sarawak liberica. You can find them at Black Bean Coffee at Jalan Pending and Ewe Hai Street.
Atmosphere-wise, you can choose to have your cup of java in a heritage building such as Commons Kch at the Old Courthouse or Indah Cafe at Upper China Street or in a hip, minimalist-decorated cafe like Keeper’s Ground.
What About Kuching (WAK) is back! From Sept 29 till Oct 28, Kuching will be lit up with tonnes of activities all over the city.
This month-long festival is a local community effort aiming to celebrate the arts, culture and lifestyle that Kuching has to offer.
Mark your calendar and decide what to do during this year’s What About Kuching:
1.Watch local artists in action at Bishopsgate and The Clock Tower
What About Kuching Music Portail provides platform for local artists to showcase their talents. Watch out for these dates Oct 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 when the fun is happening at Bishopsgate Street Stage. Then on Oct 26 and 27, the party is moving to Clock Tower@The Old Courthouse.
There will be performances from Zee Avi, Tuku Kame, At Adau, Meruked and many more.
At Adau’s Ezra Tekola on the sape’. Catch At Adau on Oct 12 at Bishopsgate Street Stage.
2.Visit the World Press Photo Exhibition
The iconic Padang Merdeka will come alive during the whole duration of What About Kuching. There, the World Press Photo Exhibition will make its Kucing debut showcasing a series of award-winning photos.
3.Follow a food trail along Padungan Street
What Kuching without its food? Follow the trail of Food Safari, collect stamps along the way and redeem a What About Kuching Merchandise.
4.Enjoy the music by Sarawak river at Waterfront Night Live
Do you know that there is a free weekly entertainment programme at GoDown Amphitheatre@Kuching Waterfront? The entertainment continues throughout What About Kuching month every Friday and Saturday.
5.Support young entrepreneurs at Junior Art Market
Lend your support to young entrepreneurs at Junior Art Market.
This art market is unlike others as it is exclusively dedicated to young entrepreneurs. However, there are art workshops, food and performances for all ages.
6. Observe the beauty of body art of Sarawak
What does the late Anthony Bourdain and Crazy Rich Asian’s Henry Golding have in common? Both of them have tribal Iban tattoos on their bodies.
From Sept 29 till Oct 9 there will be a tattoo exhibition happening at The Old Courthouse.
7. Learn more about Sarawak tattoos
Speaking of tattoos, know more about this artistry on Sept 30. There will be a presentation about tattoo artifacts. While on Oct 7, there will be a panel discussion on Sarawak tattoo industry.
8. Take part in a photojournalism workshop
Calling out all professional and amateur photographers! There will be a free a workshop conducted by photojournalists from the World Press. Sign up quickly because seats are limited.
9.Meet a fine artist
Ramsay Ong is a household name when comes the local fine art scene. Meet him daily from 10am to 2pm from Mondays to Fridays at the Pullman Hotel.
10.Take pleasure in listening to monologues
Listen to local talents reciting their monologues on Oct 5. There will guests performers flying in from Singapore and West Malaysia.
11.Enroll your kids in a Latin dance workshop
Enroll your kids in a Latin dance workshop.
Start ‘em young! Sign your kids up for Latin Dance Workshop and they might have a knack for it!
12. Watch a yoga performance
Observe professional yogis in action at Sarawak famous Darul Hana Bridge Oct 6. On Oct 18, the yoga performance is happening at the Old Courthouse. After both of the performances, the public will have the chance to try some yoga moves. Do not miss out on this!
13. Gain an understanding on how to be a published writer
Do you have a manuscript tucked away somewhere in the corner of your room? Or have you always wanted to be a published writer? For two hours on Oct 7, bestseller Gina Yap will share about her journey.
14.Take in the knowledge of a poet
Marc Nair, a poet from Singapore will gives listeners a peak into his world of publishing poetry, taking photographs and more on Oct 7.
15. Familiarise yourself with Borneo beads
The beads of Sarawak can be considered as one of the state’s most precious heirlooms. Know more about beads of Sarawak by Heidi Munan on Oct 9.
16.Admire the beauty of Sarawak craft
From Oct 8 till 28, explore the beauty of Sarawak arts and Crafts at Pullman Hotel.
17. Grasp more about mental health problems in Kuching
Honestly here in Sarawak we do not talk enough about mental health. Join in the movement of raising awareness in conjunction of World Mental Health Day from Oct 10 till 14. There will be exhibitions, screening and forums.
18.Ignite your passion in Latin dance
Dance to Latin music with Sarawak sunset glowing on you on Oct 12 and 19 at Kuching Waterfront. Only for two days, there will be a showcase and free dance lesson from Baile Latino Kuching from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
19.Spend an evening of music, art and coffee
Shades of Art is back in town on Oct 13! The 13th edition of this evening of music and arts is dedicated to the Ranee of Sarawak.
20. Watch local short independent films
For one night only on Oct 13 at The Garden@The Old Courthouse, there will be film screenings and sharing session.
21. Play some ping pong games
Sweat it out for some ping pong games at Plaza Merdeka on Oct 14-27.
22.Show your support to the artists from the Kuching Autistic Association
Give your support to the artists from the Kuching Autistic Association during this What About Kuching.
Walk through forty pieces of artworks from the talents of Kuching Autistic Association. The exhibition is happening on Oct 19 to 21 at Hilton Hotel.
23.Explore a cardboard city
Here is another activity to bring your kids! Explore the Cardboard city made from recycled cardboard on Oct 20 till 21.
24.Jam with the youths
Feel the young vibes of local youths at Kuching Youth Jam. This monthly gathering features exhibition and workshop for hip hop enthusiasts.
25.Party with the local hip hop scene
Another What About Kuching event for hip hop enthusiasts, Tha (this is not a spelling error) Block Party organised by Tha Project will highlight hip hop talents, break dancing and more.
26.Take a pint (or more) during an Oktoberfest
Forget about celebrating Oktoberfest in Germany and head down tHe Spring shopping mall. Enjoy your drinks and the live music for ten nights from Sept 29 till Oct 7.
27.Channel your inner Tony Hawk
What About Kuching is all out giving platforms to different kinds of communities in the city. One of these community is the skaters of Kuching. There will be workshops, competitions and booths during Skate About Kuching on Oct 21.
28.Celebrate Deepavali for three days
Although Deepavali is not a public holiday in Sarawak, it should not stop all Sarawakians to celebrate. Come together on Oct 26-28 at CityOne Megamall to celebrate with arts, fashion shows, Bollywood competition as well as cooking classes and contests.
29.Visit a flea market
Show your support to local artisans and entrepreneurs while watching live music at Green Heights Mall Halloween Flea.
30.Find a treasure at a trunk sale
The biggest pre-loved market in Kuching is back on Oct 27 till 28. Give new life to old items at Kuching Trunk Sale (Oct 27-28) at Emart Batu Kawa.
KUCHING, Aug 9: The inaugural Alta Moda Sarawak, a fashion showcase will place the spotlight on the work of at least 20 designers this Oct 25 to 27.
To be held at the old State Legislative Assembly building, the event aims to promote Sarawak as a state of diversity with different ethnics and cultures.
Speaking at a press conference on Aug 8, its chairperson Datin Esther Mujan Balan said Alta Moda Sarawak was a brand platform for Sarawak designers to come together to showcase their talents and creations in the field of arts, culture and crafts.
She said, “We are determined and focused for Alta Moda Sarawak to be a successful yearly event to promote Sarawak as a leading fashion hub in Southeast Asia and attract potential tourism traffic.
“The long term mission is to hold the event on an annual basis as part of Sarawak Tourism calendar with Sarawak Tourism Board as the main supporter and partner.”
The fashion event is expected to provide a rich insight into the world of fashion opportunities in Sarawak at both domestic and international levels.
This is done through diversified programs and activities that have been planned with the participation and support from local fashionistas, fashion interest group, celebrities, VVIPs, associate partners and media.
Esther stated, “We are hopeful through the support towards Alta Moda Sarawak 2018, this will be the next great Sarawak event to be reckoned with whilst promoting large multiethnics and multicultural of our people.”
The three-day event will gather young designers, promising designers who had some experiences as well designers who have established their names locally and internationally.
The press conference also featured a short runaway show to give the attendees snippets of what to expect during the event.
Among the designers that will be participating in the event are Anna Sue, Von Jolly Couture, Wan Bynun, Keith Sim, Paul Carling, Ben Nazry as well as Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (Unimas).
Paul Carling (right) and his model. The Paul Carling label was founded in 2016 and originally known as Paul Carling Collections. The label focuses on bridal wear and fusions of modern mix wear incorporating mainly Borneo tribal motifs.A design from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.Ben Nazry (left) and his model. He is a local designer known for his detailed and elegant work on couture and bridal gowns.A young designer from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and his model strutting down the runway.Aaron Von Jolly (left) walks down the runway with his model during the press conference.Widely known for her statement jewelries, Anna Sue (left) also has a pret-a-porte clothing line.
If you have not visited Mount Singai before, now is the best time to do so. Due to our love of being outdoors, KajoMag has listed six reasons why it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit.
1. Close to town
Located in Bau District, Mount Singai takes only 30 to 40 minutes’ drive from Kuching City.
As it does not take a lot of time to reach there, you do not have to worry about getting up early or using a lot of gas.
2. Good spot for beginner’s training
If you are not particularly athletic but still want to be active, then Mount Singai is perfect for you.
Mount Singai hiking area can be split into two sections. The first half is a set of stairs leading to the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre (CMPC) while the second half is the hiking trail leading to the summit.
Typically, an average hiker can reach the pilgrimage centre within 20 to 30 minutes while the hiking ground can take about an hour to reach.
Visitors might find Mount Singai relaxing and enjoyable as the hiking terrain is not as hard and challenging as most hiking spots around Kuching.
Also, due to the steps and the inclining nature of Mount Singai, it is the best spot to pump up your cardio and enjoy nature.
3. Friendly hikers
On average, Mount Singai can have a few hundred visitors in one weekend.
And due to that, you will always bump into other fellow hikers along the way.
At Mount Singai, the hikers will typically greet you and some will even give words of encouragement to reach the summit.
When meeting these friendly and supportive hikers of Mount Singai, it makes the hiking trip even more memorable.
4. Spiritual experience
On your trek up to the retreat centre, you will notice there are monuments stationed along the way up.
They are the 14 stations of the Cross which represent Christ’s last day on earth as a man.
Mount Singai has long been a pilgrimage destination for devoted Catholics, with the earliest converts to Catholicism in the area among the Bisingai people dating as far back as 1885.
5. Help the community build their church
Upon reaching the entrance point of Mount Singai, you may find a heap of bags containing pebbles and sand.
These are to build a new church hall at the pilgrimage centre.
As there are no access roads for vehicles leading towards the centre, the only way to bring these building materials up is on foot.
While there are no entrance fees for Mount Singai, visitors can do their part for the kampong community by helping them carry the bags up to the construction site.
Consider it your personal Rocky or Shaolin monk challenge by carrying a bag up. You can also help trick your mind into thinking you have some extra weight to lose.
6. Instagrammable view
Millennials with an active Instagram account would understand the novelty of having awesome pictures in their IG account.
When you reach the top of the steps, Mount Singai offers a rest stop with one of the best viewing spots.
Apart from that, the summit also offers an equally breath-taking view for visitors to take picture.
If you are visiting Kuching for the first time and are a big fan of ice cream, there are two iconic desserts you have to try.
Both ice creams have distinct tastes from each other and have maintained their legendary status in the Kuching dessert scene despite having no air-conditioners, let alone Instagram-worthy settings.
But locals have been flocking to these ice-cream places for years now and by the looks of it, they will continue to do so in coming years.
So no matter how packed your itinerary is, do not leave Cat City of Sarawak without trying these two ice creams.
1.Sunny Hill Ice Cream
A cup of sundae with sweetened, crushed peanuts.
If ice-creams in Kuching had a king, Sunny Hill ice cream would definitely be sitting on that throne.
This ice-cream maker has been operating since the ’60s, maintaining its canteen-style design over the years.
Located at Jalan Bukit Cahaya, Sunny Hill offers affordable soft ice creams.
Besides their basic ice cream cones, they also offer ice cream sandwiches, banana splits and ice cream floats.
You can also choose to have toppings of syrup and/or crushed peanuts.
Unlike other ice-cream parlours that have an ever-ready selection of flavours, Sunny Hill serves its selection of flavours on a rotational basis.
While vanilla is served everyday, their other flavours are served as follows: strawberry (Monday and Tuesday), pandan and corn (Wednesday to Friday) and chocolate (Saturday and Sunday).
On top of their mouth-watering ice-creams, Sunny Hills also sell baked goods such as cookies, breads and egg tarts.
2. R.G. Ais Krim Bergula Apong
Ice cream gula apong (palm sugar) has been in trend for the past few years. But the first one to come up with the idea is a humble stall located at Kuching Open Air Market.
A pandan-flavoured ice cream with a drizzle of palm sugar and cornflakes topping.
Reportedly, Richard Tan the owner of R.G. Gula Apong Ais Krim started the ice-cream plus palm sugar craze 20 years ago.
They only have one flavour a day but in three sizes – small, medium and large.
You can choose your own topping – peanut, cornflakes, Oreo or Nestum – for free.
The texture of this ice cream is closer to a shaved ice unlike most of the ice creams with palm sugar out there which usually has soft serve ice creams.
Some people may find R.G. Ais Krim Bergula Apong too sweet for their taste, but if you need an instant dose of sugar, why not give this ice cream a try.
R.G. Ais Krim Bergula Apong is believed the one who started to serve ice creams with palm sugar.
Ordering drinks in foreign countries can be confusing. Even here in Malaysia, how to order drinks might even be different depending which state are you in.
Adding on the difficulties to order drinks, most Sarawak coffeeshops and food courts do not even have proper menus.
So here is a quick guide on how to order drinks in Sarawak coffeeshops.
How to order your drinks at Sarawak coffeeshops?
If you want to order coffee, take note that you have to say “kopi” or “Nescafe”. “Kopi” usually refers to drinks made with local coffee brands like Kopi Cap Kapal Api or Anggerek, while Nescafe is a Nestle brand of coffee. A cup of Nescafe costs slightly more than a kopi.
So here’s a basic list of what you can order at almost any coffeeshop, ‘kopitiam’ or ‘kedai kopi’ in Sarawak:
Kopi ‘O’ Kosong – ‘Kosong’ means ’empty’ in Malay. This is the Malaysian version of Americano or Long Black since it is just a hot cup of black coffee. Kopi ‘O’ – Hot black coffee with sugar Kopi ‘O’ Peng – Anything with the word ‘peng’ means ‘iced’. A Kopi ‘O’ Peng is iced black coffee with sugar. Kopi – Malaysians love their condensed milk. A cup of kopi is coffee with condensed milk. Kopi Peng – This is basically iced coffee with condensed milk. Kopi ‘C’– Malaysians apparently love their alphabet. So a drink with the letter‘C’ means ‘with evaporated milk’. A cup of Kopi ‘C’ is coffee with added sugar and evaporated milk. Kopi ‘C’ Kosong – If you want a kopi ‘C’ without the sugar, then it is a Kopi ‘C’ Kosong. Kopi ‘C’ Peng – A glass of iced Kopi ‘C’. Kopi ‘C’ Peng Kosong – The iced version of Kopi ‘C’ Kosong. Kopi ‘O’ Peng Kosong – A glass of iced black coffee with no sugar, condensed milk or evaporated milk. An iced Americano, in other words. Neslo – Here is a Malaysian version of mocha. It is a mixture of Nescafe coffee and the chocolate and malt powder drink, Milo.
When you’re asking for tea and all its variants, just replace the word ‘kopi’ with ‘teh’ which means tea in Malay. The same rule applies to Malaysia’s favourite chocolate and malt drink, Milo.
If you are in Sabah, change the word ‘Peng’ to ‘Ping’ and you are good to go.
Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) is like any other music festival where people from all ages and countries come together in the name of music.
Organised annually at Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching, Malaysia, the three-day event features performances from traditional music to contemporary world music.
As interesting as the performers are with their exotic outfits and sounds, the most interesting people at RWMF are actually the festival goers.
Sometimes, the festival goers are more interesting than the performers themselves during a music festival.
Not to generalise people but here are 10 types of festival goers you tend to see at the Rainforest World Music Festival:
1.The Learner
Rainforest World Music Festival is not just about the music and dancing but it is also about learning different cultures.
How to spot The Learner? They are the ones who raise their hands and ask questions during the cultural talks.
Or sometimes you can see them at the Rainforest World Music Festival Craft Bazaar engaging with vendors and asking questions.
Sometimes, they are your typical university students who major in music or anthropology. Sometimes, they are the intellectual types who take the opportunity during the festival to learn more about other cultures.
You can also spot them looking diligently at the festival guide or sitting in the front row of the sape lesson session.
2.The Live Feeder
Can you spot The Live Feeder?
These are the easiest to spot at the festival. They are the ones who have their smartphones raised during workshops, drum circles, and night performances for long periods of time, even just to take just a photo.
Or you can see traces of their live-feeding on their social media accounts even after the festival has ended.
3.The Selfie-obsessed
This kind of festival goer has a superpower ability. They can smell selfie opportunities unlike most normal people.
They know, for instance, which part of Sarawak Cultural Village gives the best photo ops, who to take wefies with and most importantly, which angle to take it form. Like I said, it’s a superpower.
4.The Spectator
Every music festival needs to have The Spectator. They are the ones who peek through the windows of the Iban Longhouse to watch a dance interactive session but never join in.
They watch the night performances from afar… such as the balcony of Dewan Lagenda or sitting at the back on their picnic mats.
Whatever it is, they are just there to spectate and enjoy the music.
We came for the music!
5.The Solo Traveller
These are the lone rangers of the festival. They eat alone, participate in the mini sessions alone and they dance alone during the night performances.
Despite being alone, The Solo Travellers are the ones who look like they are enjoying not just the festival but also life overall the most.
6.The Party Animal
The Party Animal type dances the hardest, screams the loudest and drinks the most.
In times past when the ground in front of the stage could become a mud pit during a rainshower, they would be the ones dancing in the rain with mud on their feet and all over their bodies.
Every music festival needs the Party Animals.
7.The Hobbyist
I am here to do my own thing!
You have seen this type of festival goer, not just during the Rainforest World Music Festival but every music festival.
While the performers are giving their all onstage or in the mini sessions, they pick a spot and do their own thing.
Be it a yoga move or throwing a hoop or swinging a pair of poi, Rainforest World Music Festival has seen them all.
“I come to share my hobby!”
8.The Herd
This type of festival goer moves in flocks. They usually have one tribe leader who decides which mini sessions to go or where to eat, one ideal follower who has no idea what is going on but happy to follow and the rebel who tends to break away from the group.
Plus if the herd is alcohol-inclined, they have a sommelier or beer connoisseur who keeps the alcohol level in everybody’s system in order.
Sometimes they have a babysitter who has a mother-like role in the group to make sure the herd is safe and sticks together.
They are commonly groups of university students and young working adults who take Rainforest World Music Festival as a short escape from reality.
Some people would call this type of festival goer a dancer…only if you consider their moves as ‘dancing’.
The difference between The Party Animal and The“I-have-no-idea-what-is-going-on-but-I-am-here-to-dance” is that the latter tends to ignore what is going on because they just want to dance.
A band could be delivering a touching performance like At Adau’s Jackson Lian Ngau who dedicated a song to his late mum (in RWMF 2017) or Raghu Dixit from India and Slobodan Trjulja from Serbia giving a once in a lifetime hair-raising duet (in RWMF 2018).
These are the ones who would dance in the middle of a themed music demonstration or a drum circle during the festival irrespective of what is happening around them.
Raghu Dixit from India (right) and Slobodan Trjulja from Serbia performing a duet song on July 14 during the Rainforest World Music Festival.
10.The ones who were not there for the world music but created their own world
These are the festival goers who were there at the RWMF but not exactly “there” at the festival.
They could be young couples who find their corners and just enjoy these time-defining moments with each other. Or even groups of friends who form their circles at Dewan Lagenda to drink together as the music plays in the background and sets the mood and atmosphere.
Festival goers who created their own world at Dewan Lagenda during the Rainforest World Music Festival.
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
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.
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 .
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.
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.
Each location now has its lineup activities displayed.
