SPECIAL EVENT

 SPECIAL EVENT 

RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

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The Rainforest World Music Festival is an annual three-day music festival celebrating the diversity of world music, held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls, and main-stage evening concerts. It is now one of the largest musical events in Malaysia with a total weekend audience approaching 30,000. The festival features a wide range of performances from traditional music, to world fusion and contemporary world music. The festival emphasizes the use of traditional acoustic world instruments, although electric accompaniment instruments are common. Invited performers come from Sarawak, other provinces of Malaysia, and countries near and far. 

The festival is held in the grounds of the Sarawak Cultural Village nestled against the base of Mount Santubong, about 35 km. north of Kuching. The festival runs workshops (mini concerts) in the afternoon followed by evening performances held on the two main stages in the village. The festival usually features from 18 to 20 bands through the weekend.

The atmosphere is very relaxed. Although there are timetables for the workshops and evening performances, visitors are free to enter and leave any event at will. The daytime workshops are held inside various traditional houses in the village, where the performers and leaders of the events are often on the same floor-level as the audience, allowing them to get up close to the performers. There are also no restrictions in communicating with the performers, and the musicians themselves sometimes encourage conversation, especially if it is regarding the topic of the workshop they are running or about the traditional instruments they use. Artists are also not hidden behind barriers at the festival and can seen walking through the site throughout the duration, allowing the audience access to them at any time.

ENTRY TO RWMF: Entry to the Rainforest World Music Festival is by purchasing the tags at the entrance of the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong which is home to festival. There are three different tags colour coded for each day from today until Sunday. Getting there is best by public transportation or coaches that are dedicated for the event. Nevertheless, you can drive there but will have to park at designated areas and walk to the venue.

PESTA BENAK 

The Batang Lupar flows 200km from its source in the Kapuas Mountains to the Teluk Datu of the South China Sea. At its mouth the river forms the broadest estuary in Sarawak, as well as accommodating the largest of the four benak's that occur in Sarawak.
Tidal bore or locally known as benak, occurs everyday with different wavelengths and heights. However, during spring tide, normally on the third and eighteen day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, tidal bores with high magnitude can be observed clearly. The 'benak' continues its journey another 30 km inland, ending near the small village of Engkilili.
Pesta Benak (Tidal Bore Carnival) in Sri Aman is one of the yearly activities in the Sarawak tourism calendar. The objective of Pesta Benak Sri Aman is to introduce Sri Aman town through tourism and encourage tourist from in and outside the country to visit Sri Aman. Apart from it, Pesta Benak is also to promote harmony among local community.

In conjunction with this phenomenon, many events were organized such as exhibition, food fair, karaoke competition, culture and art performances and others. Tidal wave festival has made the area a popular spot in Sarawak for visitors; you can join in the fun and hitch a ride with the longboats or just watch the boatman braving the waves. You can even immerse yourself with the local culture at the food fair, good music and dance performances that are part and parcel of the festival. 

Where to go
Tidal bore or benak phenomenon in Malaysia can only be seen at Batang Lupar, Batang Sadong, Batang Samarahan and Batang Saribas in the state of Sarawak. Sri Aman is situated about 194 km by road from Kuching City. The unique phenomenon of tidal bore occurs in Batang Lupar. Batang Lupar flows from the Klinkang Range to South China Sea with river length of 275 km.

Home to a crocodile a.k.a Bujang Senang
'Bujang Senang' or 'Happy Bachelor' was the name for a huge crocodile that grew to 19 feet and 4 inches. The crocodile is notorious as a man-eating 'monster'. It had a well-formed and worn canines on its huge jaw. 'Bujang Senang' was well known back in 1993, when it went on its killing rampage around the Sri Aman area. The Batang Lupar River, which flows through Sri Aman, still conjures up fearsome images, as it was home to this legendary killer. It was struck down by a shotgun shell in Sg. Pelaban in Lingga Batang Lupar at Sri Aman.

ACTIVITY IN BENAK FESTIVAL 

CROWD OF PEOPLE SEE THE BENAK FESTIVAL 

MUKAH KAUL FESTIVAL 

Kaul is a beach festival of a sort celebrated by the Melanaus of Sarawak. They are mainly sago farmers and fishermen living in the coastal areas although more of them are increasingly involved in the country’s mainstream economic activities.

In the past, Kaul was a ritual cleansing ceremony following a period of privation, a thanksgiving for having successfully weathered the lean times (during the monsoons) and for the return of abundance, a celebration of that abundance, and a plea for continued good fortune for the rest of the year.

The occasion is usually held at the beginning of their lunar calendar during the month of Pengejin which usually falls in March. 

The Melanaus have their own (lunar) calendar structured around the fishing economy and the seasons.

And the calendar is divided into 12 (some communities have 13 months comparable to the present Gregorian (or western) calendar system.

The first announcement is made seven days before the actual ceremony.  

This provides sufficient time for the necessary preparations of ritualistic paraphernalia and special food to be taken to the site of the ceremony.

A second announcement is made three days prior to the festival. 

Normally, the gong is sounded (usually in a boat going downriver) between seven and nine o’clock at night when everybody is at home. 

Traditionally, from this time, until three days after the Kaul, the village would be palei, (observance of taboo) with people forbidden from entering or leaving it or passing it, thus isolating it from the world. 

In addition, no trees could be felled in the vicinity of the village. And above all, no blood (as in the slaughter or killing of animals for food) could be shed.

In accordance with tradition, the Kaul ceremony should be held at the estuary of the river on its true right bank. 

Within the Melanau heartland in Mukah, this practice is maintained (carried out by Melanaus who upheld the old beliefs).

In the past, food for spirits and humans was prepared for the occasion by every household. 

On the day of Kaul, offerings for the spirit were placed in an appropriately decorated flat round basket called seraheng which was raised on a bamboo pole. 

Following some preliminary chants and invocations, the seraheng would then be brought in procession by boat upriver through the village accompanied by all the members of the village. 

For this purpose, canoes were lashed together in lines of three, with a gong orchestra in the front three boats accompanying the chants of the ritual leader. 

The ritual leader (in his chants) would then invite the spirits to join the villagers in a meal and then be implored to depart to their own domains after.  Smaller canoes would accompany the flotilla manned by young men in masks and fancy dress representing the spirits.

Kaul always begins with the ritual leader’s chant.  Loosely translated, the chant was:

“Oh spirits! We call to you not in a dreamlike state (but in a state of full awareness).

We gather here all of us to convey our gratitude, t o openly show our feelings.

We ask that our country be peaceful and productive. We have endured the difficult months of privation and have borne the difficulties with patience. We are here without deceit or dissimulation. We gather here with our offerings at the mouth of this river. 

We call upon the spirits of good intent so that we may have abundance and good health. We ask that all that is bad be chased away. We seek your help that we may obtain all that is good whether from the sea, from above and from below. We ask that we live in harmony and peace and fellowship. We ask forgiveness should any spirit or bird be omitted in this incantation. Do not be offended, rather help us to a good life and to good fortune and chase away all that which is evil, away from the source of the river, away to the hills and away out to the oceans. Bring us good fortune, abundant catches of fish and abundant supply of food, not forgetting the fruits as we have followed the ritual of the Kaul. Should we stumble, help set us on the right path.” 

                                          

POSING with the traditional fishing traps called ‘Bubo and Agan’ from Kampung Judan Mukah

                                                      A traditional decoration for the festival.

Tibou. This is a twenty foot high giant swing, a traditional game of Melanau people.

SARAWAK REGATTA

The 2013 edition will have the dragon boat category for the first time. Participants are expected to come from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.

This annual event is the showcase of boat race with participation from various government agencies, private sectors and also participants from overseas such as Indonesia and Brunei. Other activities include displays of crafts and exhibitions by local entrepreneurs.

The day programme include “Brooke Swim”, kayaking and duck catching. Racing boats from the various villages around Sarawak will make it a grand affair and also a great occasion for families from outside Kuching to visit the city.

Sarawak Regatta has been a premier event with a distinct historical and cultural significant. It was held as early as before 1872 and was organized as an annual event taking place during the New Year. Sarawak Gazette had recorded in 1872, that the annual Regatta that year was held, on 29th February 1872 at the Sarawak River infront of the Astana. The European community in Sarawak and in the neighboring countries were invited to the Astana - for breakfast - before the race. Keen competition were also recorded for the Rajah Cup. The boat 'Sri Matu' built and manned by the Melanaus, was reported as the winning boat.

The Gazette records provided the indication that Regatta had been an important social event organized annually for social integration and goodwill for the people of Sarawak. Prominent political figure, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Ong Kee Hui, recorded that Rajah Charles Brooke used to send his yacht Maimunah1 to outstation to bring in the various Tuan Residents to join in the social event.

The tradition of holding the annual Regatta in the Sarawak River continued through the Colonial period and into the post-Malaysia period. During these periods the Regatta was organized by Resident and District Office with funds from the Government while the rest of the fund was raised through public donations.

SARAWAK REGATTA COMPETITION

CLOSE-UP OF REGATTA ROUTE: The map showing the two starting points of the boat race, which is from Kampung Pulo to the finishing point and; from Kampung Bintangor to finishing point.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/12/dragon-boat-race-to-feature-in-sarawak-regatta-2013/#ixzz2bOJdUgEZ

                       GAWAI DAYAK FESTIVAL 

Gawai Dayak is a harvest festival, which is celebrated by the indigenous people of Sarawak, particularly the Ibans and Bidayuhs. They wear their traditional costumes and the festivities include ceremonial offerings of various local traditional delicacies and home-made rice wine known as tuak to the gods of rice and prosperity.

The festival, Gawai Dayak is celebrated with much enthusiasm and fanfare across Sarawak both in cities and villages and is a two day festival that honours the indigenous people of the Dayak community that comprise of Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit and Murut tribes in Sarawak.

From time immemorial the Gawai Dayak festival is a celebration of the culmination of one season and the beginning of the other and for the members of Sarawak’s Dayak communities, the Gawai Dayak Festival commemorates the garnering of the rice harvest and proclaims the onset of a new planting season. However, initially it was not the case. It is believed that Dayaks and Ibans were head-hunters, who prayed to their gods for a good harvest of heads at the annual festival.

People of the Dayak community wear their ceremonial dress and gather at longhouses for prayers and offer food and drinks to the gods. One of the person who has been designated as a priest of the tribe chants specially written litanies to appease the gods and birds and animals were sacrificed to mark the festivities. War dances, cockfights, and blowpipe competitions are some other celebrations of the festival.

The celebrations for the festival begin on the eve of May 31 with traditional music and Muai Antu Rua - a ritual aimed at keeping the spirit of greed from ruining the celebration. During this ritual two men drag a basket along the longhouse and families in each room throw some clothing and household items into the basket. This basket is later dumped on the ground as a "sacrifice" to prevent interference from evil spirits.

After sunset, the appointed festival chief sacrifices a chicken to show his gratitude for a good harvest and requests for the same next year as well. After the sacrifice dinner is served, which essentially features bamboo-steamed rice and sweet cakes made of coconut milk.

Another interesting ritual of the festival is a just before midnight procession known as Ngalu Petara, which passes the community seven times in order to welcome the gods to the festival and at midnight the appointed festival chief holds a toast with tuak for longevity. After this the festival is open to all for dancing, singing and drinking. Gawai Dayak as a festival is more than a demonstration of indigenous culture for tourists and is considered as an auspicious occasion for weddings and family reunions.

MEAL TIME 

ALL THE MEN TURN AROUND THE CHICKEN & ALL THE THING THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP IN THE CENTRE FOR THEIR RITUAL 

• The Christmas which is a religious festivals is being celebrated by the Christians throughout Sarawak. Church and carol services are being conducted and organised by the various Christian denomination to usher in the Christmas Celebration. The Celebration is being celebrated on the 25th. day of December month.

VIEW OF THE DECORATION DURING CHRISTMAS 

• Hari Raya Aidilfitri which mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan is celebrated by the Muslim Community throughout the State, the day start with a Hari Raya prays at the various mosques then a visit to the ancestor grave to offer prays and seek forgive. At the open house, families and friends are served with variety of foods and cakes, making it a merry occasion.

Try some: Fadillah, his wife Datin Ruziah Tahir and their daughter Khairunisa serving Pandelela and Bryan delicious food at their residence during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Kuching. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star

• The Chinese community celebrated their Chinese New Year with lot of foods and merry making. Red packets are exchange among family and friends. The Chinese community regardless of their clan, be it Hokkien…Teochiew…Foochow…Hakka or Kek celebrate the occasion with Lion dance and lot of foods. The celebration ended with on the 15th. day, which call the Chop Go Mei.

Chinese New Year 2011 at Miri Fan Square

• Balleh Kapit Safari...an exciting river safari race that begins with a night-long merrymaking, showcase the Iban hospitality before the race is launched.
  
  Visit during the second weekend of April and witness rafters steering their man-made natural rafts down rapid tributaries of Malaysia's longest river-Rejang, to Sarawak's last frontier town of Kapit. This even is open to international participants so do not miss this thrilling ride of a lifetime.

Winners all: The team from Pergigian Kapit which came in second for the best decorated raft award.

Break time: Participants in the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari relaxing by the river and fishing during a break in the race.

Gaily made-up: A decorated raft from Faber-Medicserve Kapit taking part in the race.

• Kuching Festival...the anniversary of the declaration of Kuching as a city is celebrated every august. You will surely be entertained throughout this month long festival with activities from a city parade to nightly exhibitions, stage show, concerts and competitions. It is never a dull moment in the city.

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YEARLY ATTRACTION: The crowd thronging the Kuching Festival Fair which provides a huge variety of food and drinks as well as other activities. — Photo by Chimon Upon

Food fair. 

• Miri Jazz Festival Latin Jazz, contemporary jazz, Caribbean Jazz, Asian Jazz and much more. All the different genres of jazz music find their way to the northern most city in Sarawak for an outdoor international festival with the ambiance of intimate jazz clubs for the easy relaxed people in Miri Resort City.

MUSIC ADVENTURE: Rashid (second left) with STB’s director of corporate communications Angela Bateman (second right), Yeah (left) and project event manager Qarmilla Chin Abdullah after the ribbon cutting ceremony to launch the Borneo Jazz Festival 2013. — Photo by Karen Bong

MOONCAKE FESTIVAL 

Mid-Autumn (zhong chiew) festival is also known as Moon Cake Festival or Lantern Festival. This festival is celebrated by Chinese on the 15th day of the eight lunar months or early August nor early September. Besides that, family gathering or reunion will be held on this festival to tighten up the relationship among the family members. The full moon also indicates of family reunion.

As with every Chinese holiday, the Mid-Autumn Festival has its own special food. People eat moon cakes at Mid-Autumn Festival. The moon cake is a kind of cookie with various  fillings and on the surface are printed different artistic patterns depicting the story of Chang Er flying to the moon. People treated this kind of food as one of the sacrificial offerings to the moon in the old days. Today, it has become an indispensable food while appreciating the bright moon for every family. Moon cakes come in various flavors which change according to the region but common fillings are nuts, sugar, sesame, ham and egg yolk.

As the moon cake is round in shape, it symbolizes the reunion of a family, so it is easy to understand how the eating of moon cakes under the round moon can inspire the missing of distant relatives. Nowadays, people present the moon cakes to relatives and friends to demonstrate that they wish them a long and happy life.

GIANT MOONCAKE 

Chinese celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival by spending their time with their family on lighten up the lantern and walk along the road or street. Some spending their time on writing the Chinese poem during moon cake festival.

                                                                                                       Mooncake Festival celebration with performance of bands.

HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL 

This festival is also celebrated by Chinese in Sarawak. This is a good time for tourists to know and enjoy the traditional rituals and customs of Hungry Ghost Festival.

Belief for the Hungry Ghost Festival

• Children are also advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night. This belief is that children are easily to be possessed by the wandering ghosts.
• It is bad to go swimming during the 7th month. They think that an evil ghost might cause you to drown.
• Besides, if you go to cinema or any performances, you will found that the first row of seats is always empty because there is where for the ghosts to sit.

• Thus, you will found that swimming pools, beaches, shopping malls, cinemas, bowling alleys, parks and other public places will suffer a big dip in customers during this month.
• During this month, they will not bask their clothes outside at night. Ghosts will try the clothes and after this, they will be brought along into home with the clothes.
• This is also a month considered not auspicious to get married and start a business.

Joss sticks and joss paper used to worship our ancestors and ghosts.

Dishes served during celebration of Hungry Ghost Festival. But, pay attention that these are not for us, these are for ghost.

Lanterns used to direct the ghosts back to the underworld.