RAINFOREST MUSIC IN THE HEART OF BORNEO

What sort of music do you enjoy? Classical, jazz or pop music? For me, I like a mixture of each. I am not far from fulfilling my dream as I was able to enjoy such music from the 11th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) at Kuching, Sarawak. This unique festival brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of the mythical island of Borneo. Held from the 11 to 13 July 2008 at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) in the midst of lush greenery, it attracted audience who come from near and far.

Informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures and mini concerts were held at either the Iban Longhouse or Theatre or Dewan Lagenda in the afternoon. My favourite workshop “The African drum that conquered the world” fascinated me to see drummers from different countries played powerful yet harmonious rhythm. An eye opening experience! Another workshop “Kora - an African harp-lute instrument” gave beautiful sound when it was played by Yakhouba Sissokho.

Musical groups from Greece, Portugal, Philippines, UK, Sarawak, Poland, Gambia, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Congo performed in the evening. I liked the music played by the Poland musical group, Beltaine. They played Celtic music and their compositions are a combination of traditional melodies with modern trends of energy infused into it. The musicians cleverly created an atmosphere of mystery, sinking the audience in dreams and charming it with an original interpretation of old folk melodies. Another group, Tuku Kame from Sarawak, played their pieces with their sape, a typical Sarawak musical instrument and also ruding, a jaw harp.

I also visited many longhouses at SCV. One colourful longhouse is the Orang Ulu Longhouse (left photo) and another tall longhouse is the Melanau Tall House (bottom photo). I bravely crossed the bamboo bridge of the Bidayuh people group.

The festival site had a variety of food and drink stalls, an arts and crafts area as well as a counter for festival memorabilia, Sarawak souvenirs and CDs by the performing artists. I bought a CD costing RM60 with the musical pieces from the Beltaine.

I did have a smashing time in the heart of the Borneo Jungle listening to music in a laidback atmosphere during that three days and now waiting patiently for the next year schedule.