THE 12TH RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

THE 12TH RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009

This was an addiction I could not resist. The Rainforest World Music Festival is already in its 12th year and this is the 3rd time for me. I resisted going until the 10th anniversary in 2007 and from then on, it has become an annual event for me.
Last year, I managed to gather a few friends to go and share the wonderful event held in at the foot of the Santubong Mountain where the cultural village is located. Just 45 minutes away from Kuching City, Sarawak, it proved to be an enchanting location for an enchanting event.
This year, we are back and with an extra friend in tow. People asked me as to why I kept returning. My answer to them was simple. It is the simplicity of it that brings me back. No pretense and no discrimination. These are things we have forgotten with the various squabbling and nonsensical parody of politicians aimed at deriding the country’s harmony.
Even with the AH1N1 pandemic and some media trying to bring the event down, it just proves that success brings jealousy. This is a truly international event that Malaysians should be proud of. As we sat in Airasia’s A320, many on the flight were either foreigners from Germany, Holland and Singapore. Only a few were fellow Malaysians. Sad but it seemed that the foreigners loved the rich tapestry of the culture and international performing arts blended in the jungles of Sarawak unlike many who belittle the event.
The scene in Kuching was very busy and this is so every year at this same time. Hotels would be fully booked and the shuttle buses would be busy shuttling festival goers from the city centre to the site via the main hotel wait areas.
For those who have still not gone to any of the Rainforest World Music Festival, let me share with you the magic that continued to enthrall not only me but many who have discovered it. The festival normally runs for 3 days. The session will start with the workshops between 2pm to 5pm at 3 different venues simultaneously.
Each workshop is different and never repeated. The workshops are creatively designed to showcase instruments and its history and sounds. Hence, it is possible to find rare and unique instruments which sound like violins like the lyra of the group, Jouhiorkesteri from Finland. It is also possible to have all nationalities mash and jam at the end on a freestyle event. This has always been the highlight.
That is why there is no reason to skip a day and choosing which workshop to go is another nerve wrecking thought. The workshop venues in itself were spread over the vast property of the Sarawak Cultural Village. You had the air-conditioned theatre, the ruai at the Iban Longhouse or the open air feel of Dewan Legenda.
The concert is held from 7.30pm till late though the end time was mentioned at 12 midnight. The shuttle services back will start at 1030pm and there are ample buses so it is quite easy getting back to the city back to the hotel.
There are also lots of food and beverage options. The prices are higher than normal as a can of Coca Cola would cost RM2 as with a 500ml bottle of Reverse Osmosis Water. Chicken wings can cost from RM3 per wing. Of course you could also get Heineken Beer as well as good barbeque treats. All these are found in 3 distinct areas at the main entrance and around the lake. This makes a very open and breezy feel to it all.
There are plenty of toilets and in view of the pandemic, free face masks were given at the entrance as with bold notices on sanitary and hygiene reminders. Security is tight with guard dogs patrolling and metal detectors just like in the airport are used for every entrant. The toilets also provided hand sanitizers which are very thoughtful.
The first night however rained a little bit when the concert started. It kicked off with Kinabalu Merdu Sound from Sabah, Lan E Tuyang from Sarawak before hitting the international vein with Nouremmachi from Korea, Sekaa Jaya Jenggala from Bali, Indonesia, St Nikolas Orchestra of Poland, Red Chamber from Canada/China and Poum Tchack from France.
The second night opened on a clear sky with Asika from Malaysia and followed by Lan E Tuyang, Ouddaden (Morocco), Jouhiorkesteri (Finland), Moana & the Tribe (New Zealand), Jeff & Vida (USA) and Dazkarieh (Portugal).
The final night opened with Akasha from Malaysia and continued with Red Chamber (Canada/China), Inti Illimani (Chile), Muzsikas (Hungary) and the Zawose Family (Tanzania) before closing with all the groups jamming together.
There are 2 stages. One would be the larger main one and the other, atop two tree trunks is the famous but smaller tree stage. This played its part as it creates a seamless night of music.
I always felt that this is one event worth going for every year. Not only because of its value for money but for its carefree organization without pretense. The ticket cost RM90 per day (RM270 for the 3 days) and the workshops more than provides for the value. Mind you, that is how good the workshops are.
My favourite has to be “Soul of the Maori” by Moana and the Tribes. With the insights on local New Zealand culture and the instruments and the respect for the land together with the singing and the famous Haka, one cannot but sit in awe.
I am looking forward to next year again. I hope to have the same group of friends together and maybe more. It is funny how music transcends gender and discrimination. If only our lives are like music, it would be a beautiful party everyday.