This year's Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 will be the 20th Anniversary and it is held at the unique Sarawak Cultural Village.
Can you imagine that is has been 20 years of running the RWMF, which originally started in 1997? And for this year, the 20th Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival will take place from the 14-16 July.
Branded as one of the most unique music festivals in the world, the setting of this festival takes place in a natural environment of a rainforest in the cultural village.
The experience takes you into another world, combined with an array of world music from different parts of the earth.
The experience takes you into another world, combined with an array of world music from different parts of the earth.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 - 20th Anniversary
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| One of the world music performers at last years RWMF |
For those who have attended the RWMF before, the good news is that there is something special planned for the 20th anniversary.
Many fringe events have been arranged for the three-day event, which includes a wellness program, music workshops, kids activities, talks, and exhibitions.
Many fringe events have been arranged for the three-day event, which includes a wellness program, music workshops, kids activities, talks, and exhibitions.
For the music lineup of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2017, a total of 25 bands and artists will perform at the main stages and workshops throughout the festival.
Overall, anyone visiting this festival can expect a well-balanced genre of world music from four corners of the earth, and here in the rainforest of Borneo.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 Artist / Musicians Line Up
Overall, anyone visiting this festival can expect a well-balanced genre of world music from four corners of the earth, and here in the rainforest of Borneo.
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| A Whirling Dervish performing at the last RWMF |
- 1511 O Maliao Maliao Dance Troupe (Malaysia)
- Abavuki (South Africa)
- Achanak (UK/India)
- At Adau (Sarawak/Malaysia)
- Bitori (Cape Verde)
- Ba Cissoko (Guinea)
- Calan (Wales)
- Cimarron (Colombia)
- Didier Laloy + Kathy Adam (Belgium)
- Dom Flemons (USA)
- Hanggai (China)
- Huw Williams (Wales)
- Ilu Leto (Sarawak/Malaysia)
- Kelele (South Africa)
- O Tahiti E (Tahiti, French Polynesia)
- Okra Playground (Finland)
- Pareaso (Korea)
- Radio Cos (Spain)
- Romengo (Hungry)
- Saing Waing Orchestra (Myanmar)
- Spiro (UK)
- Svara Samsara (Indonesia)
- Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan)
- The Chipolatas (UK/Australia)
- The Paradise Bangkok Morlam International Band (Thailand)
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| Visitors entering the Rainforest World Music Festival |
Below is a list of events that will take place during the 20th Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2017.
They are from day to night and throughout the three days. All of the events take place inside the Sarawak Cultural Village, therefore you need to buy the tickets to enter the premises.
They are from day to night and throughout the three days. All of the events take place inside the Sarawak Cultural Village, therefore you need to buy the tickets to enter the premises.
RWMF Mini Sessions (Formerly Workshops)
The much-anticipated music workshops will be the main highlights in the mornings and afternoons where visitors can choose which ones they want to attend.
The mini sessions will be divided into three main areas of the cultural village.
The mini sessions will be divided into three main areas of the cultural village.
RWMF Theater Stage Performances
This is another popular segment where visitors can attend the theatre stage shows which are indoors and in the afternoons.
Explore world music in a closed environment where musicians perform unique sounds from their respective countries.
Rainforest World Craft Bazaar 2017
Explore world music in a closed environment where musicians perform unique sounds from their respective countries.
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| A section of the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar |
As every year, the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar will take place where local and ethnic crafts and jewellery will be displayed and also for sale.
The bazaar will see over 30 booths that showcase some of the best native and ethnic work from all over Sarawak. For anyone into ethnic jewellery or crafts, this is where you should be at during the festival morning and afternoon.
The bazaar will see over 30 booths that showcase some of the best native and ethnic work from all over Sarawak. For anyone into ethnic jewellery or crafts, this is where you should be at during the festival morning and afternoon.
There will also be demonstrations, hands-on projects and many other activities taking place in the craft bazaar area of the cultural village. This special segment is organized by CraftHub Sarawak.
RWMF Drum Circle
One of the most popular events before the start of the live shows is the Drum Circle. Musicians gather around and perform drum rhythms together with the audience.
This interactive show allows visitors to experience the moment with the artist in the open area near the main stage. Shows are at 5.15 PM daily.
Pustaka Bookaroo
This interactive show allows visitors to experience the moment with the artist in the open area near the main stage. Shows are at 5.15 PM daily.
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| One of the world music performers during the Rainforest World Music Festival |
For the kids, yes, the kids were not left out as the Bookaroo Library or Pustaka Bookaroo will provide interesting workshops for kids aged 7-12 years old.
Held in one of the museum houses, this workshop promises an interactive and exciting for both, parent and kids.
Held in one of the museum houses, this workshop promises an interactive and exciting for both, parent and kids.
Asian Food Kitchen
A dedicated Asian kitchen will be offered at this year's RWMF where visitors can experience the many types of Asian cuisine from local hawkers to fusion dishes.
As to what kind of Asian food will be served, well, let us just say it's local and interesting. Definitively worth exploring, if you are a foodie.
As to what kind of Asian food will be served, well, let us just say it's local and interesting. Definitively worth exploring, if you are a foodie.
RWMF Wellness Program
A special feature for the 20th anniversary is the wellness program where renown speakers will share knowledge and information about the world of wellness.
This includes talks, meditation, yoga, personal training, Budokan, Zumba, and performances. If you are into the fitness and wellness scene, this program is not to be missed.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 - 20th Anniversary
This includes talks, meditation, yoga, personal training, Budokan, Zumba, and performances. If you are into the fitness and wellness scene, this program is not to be missed.
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| The crowd at last years Rainforest World Music Festival |
When: 14-16 July 2017
Where: Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong, Kuching
Tickets: Door Sale RM152.00 (RWMF Tickets)
For more detailed information, please visit the official RWMF website.
I will be attending the 20th Anniversary Rainforest World Music Festival as it is a yearly ritual for me, and every year, I walk away very impressed.
If you have been longing for an international level world-class event, this is one of them to attend. If you are not able to attend this, you can also see the other music festivals in Sarawak as they happen at different times in the year.
Rainforest World Music Festival For Newbies
Honestly, I could not believe that a good friend who I have been working with over the last 5 to 6 years, finally came up with a travel blog.
His articles called Rainforest World Music Festival Tips for Newbies was one of his first few articles. Well done on a great job writing this guide.
Also, another newfound travel blogger friend all the way in Miri is Alyssa, who wrote a great article about the Ultimate Guide to the Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 which is pretty informative. Again, this guide is very general and targets 20-30's audience.
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| One of the local ethnic people of Sarawak pose by a traditional bamboo bridge at RWMF |
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| A beautiful sunset is seen at Damai Beach, just next to the Rainforest World Music Festival |
If you have been longing for an international level world-class event, this is one of them to attend. If you are not able to attend this, you can also see the other music festivals in Sarawak as they happen at different times in the year.
Rainforest World Music Festival For Newbies
Honestly, I could not believe that a good friend who I have been working with over the last 5 to 6 years, finally came up with a travel blog.
His articles called Rainforest World Music Festival Tips for Newbies was one of his first few articles. Well done on a great job writing this guide.
Also, another newfound travel blogger friend all the way in Miri is Alyssa, who wrote a great article about the Ultimate Guide to the Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 which is pretty informative. Again, this guide is very general and targets 20-30's audience.
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| 20th Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 |
Conclusion
Sarawak is also an amazing destination for travel, provided you love nature, culture, and adventure. There are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, incredible rainforest, amazing national parks and fascinating cultures waiting to be discovered.
Here is also a list of things to do at the Rainforest World Music Festival, for those who are staying around the Santubong area.
Here is also a list of things to do at the Rainforest World Music Festival, for those who are staying around the Santubong area.
Note that the RWMF is located about one hours drive from the city of Kuching, and if you need to travel, you should plan well ahead.
There is UBER and Grab available as well. A special shuttle bus service is also provided for a small fee from the city to the event.
There is UBER and Grab available as well. A special shuttle bus service is also provided for a small fee from the city to the event.
There are in fact a number of music festivals in Malaysia which you can attend, throughout the year and the longest and successful one is no other than the Rainforest World Music Festival, which is now the 20th Anniversary since starting back in 1997. See you there.