Rainforest World Music Festival 2022

A Tribute to the Past and the Future

Text & Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI

A long-time favourite among festival-goers, the legendary Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) came back stronger than ever for its 25th edition in 2022, which was held at Sarawak Cultural Village from 17 until 19 June 2022.

Over 50 local and international acts participated in the festival, who performed not only physically, but also virtually. For the first time ever since RWMF’s inception, the organisers of RWMF introduced the hybrid format by streaming the concerts live via rwmf. net so that world music lovers who could not make it to the venue can join in the revelry from wherever they were located.

Among the performers during RWMF 2022 were household names who bring to light Sarawak’s vibrant music to the world stage such as Alena Murang, Jerry Kamit, At Adau, Matthew Ngau, Arthur Borman, Tradisional Orkestra Negeri Sarawak (TONES) by Majlis Seni Sarawak (Sarawak Arts Council), and Nikita Sarna. Several Malaysian artists who also performed were Fauziah Gambus and the Geng (Sabah), Bourbon Lassi (Kuala Lumpur), and Razali Kulintangan (Sabah).

The main stage of RWMF 2022 were also graced by many international names, including BluGuru (Australia), Balawan Batuan Gamelan Fusion (Indonesia), Mei Han’s RC World (China/Canada), Dongyang Gozupa (South Korea) and Flame of the Forest (Singapore).

Besides the concerts at night, the three days were also filled with various activities and seminars, including dance and music workshops during the day like Sape Gathering, Men’s Ngajat Dance, Yoga+Sape Music, Drum & Bass, Anak Borneo (Young Musicians), and Power of Women.

In 2023, RWMF is expected to take place from 23 until 25 June 2023, so mark your calendar and see you there!

For more information, log on to https://rwmf.net/.

Clockwise from top, left: Tradisional Orkestra Negeri Sarawak (TONES) by Majlis Seni Sarawak entertaining the audience; Fauziah Gambus outstanding prowess in playing the then male-dominated instrument, gambus, wowed the audience at RWMF 2022; Alena Murang enchants the audience through her soothing sape music and well-thought-out Kelabit-inspired outfit; Jerry Kamit and Friends performing on the main stage on the first night of the festival; Yoon Eunhwa from the rock band Dongyang Gozupa playing the Yanggeum (Korean hammered dulcimer); BluGuru presenting their unique music at RWMF 2022; At Adau is one of the most-awaited performances at RWMF 2022; RWMF founder Randy Raine-Reusch giving speech during the closing of the festival.