GLOBALISATION now ensures that the music most of us listen to in Malaysia is the same as that in America, the United Kingdom, Australia and, probably Uzbekistan. For a world that is increasingly being influenced by contemporary music, it's becoming harder to listen to indigenous music from around the world.
However, in a remote backwater of Sarawak, various groups are working hard to ensure that the rhythms of the rainforests can still be heard alongside the beat of world music.
Home To World Music
With the number of world music festivals held here annually, it would seem that many Malaysians enjoy discovering more about various obscure musical genres.
The original world music festival is the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and this year, the 11th festival will be held at the Sarawak Cultural Village from July 11-13. The charming village is located just 45 minutes drive away from the state capital of Kuching.
While the music festival was partly conceived as an opportunity for local indigenous music to be performed in front of an international audience, it also opened the ears of local Malaysians to music they would never have heard.
The good news is that they love what they hear and keep coming back for more each year. In doing so, they provide value to the local tribal music and to the other performers who in many cases, perpetuate their style of music to prevent it from dying out in their own country.
So does this mean that those who attend the festival will only listen to folk music from obscure lands? No, far from it as the performers are selected for their ability to entertain the crowd as well as to perform their traditional music.
Music Without Borders
One of the musicians who performed at a previous festival described world music as: "ancestral music - it's in your DNA." Defining the style of music is difficult but world music has no geographical boundaries and is often referred to as "music without borders".
The three-day event in a rainforest setting at the base of Mt Santubong now attracts over 20,000 musical enthusiasts. Numbers are limited to ensure a quality event with an emphasis on crowd comfort which means a maximum crowd of just 7,000 each evening.
While the highlight of each day's programme is the actual evening concert, there is a whole range of activities that make it a festival to remember. For those with an open mind about their music and who have listened to too much commercial radio, then you should be attending this year's festival.
Carnival Atmosphere
Stalls (selling CDs of the groups performing), displays and dining and drinking areas are located around the landscaped grounds and central lake. There is very much an easy going carnival atmosphere as families and groups of friends set up their picnics around the spacious village.
There are plenty of opportunities to take a break and enjoy a chilled beverage between acts. Part of the fun for many is that all forms of beverages are sold (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Food is in abundance and both food and beverages are sensibly priced.
Accommodation near the site and transportation to the venue can be a problem as there are just a handful of resorts near Damai Beach. Buses are available for those who choose to stay in Kuching and commute to the site each evening. If you don't want to do this, book one of the Damai resorts but do it now before they are fully occupied.
Interactive Workshops
In the afternoons, workshops are conducted based upon loosely conceived themes such as wind instruments, percussion, dance or almost anything, and musicians from various groups perform to enthusiastic audiences. Musicians jam freely with each other while members of the audience join in the dancing, singing and listening.
While not specifically designed for kids, these workshops are particularly well received by children who are openly encouraged to let loose and participate in a range of hands-on activities. The festival is family friendly too so bring the kids along rather than leave them at home.
This Year's Performers
For music lovers, it doesn't matter who is performing, as the artists are all musically talented and often the best in their respective fields.
The line up for 2008 include Adel Salameh (Palestine), Cholo Valderamma (Colombia), Iros Motofuji (Japan), Oikyataan (India) and Kan'id and SeniDa (Sarawak).
For details, contact the Sarawak Tourism Board, Tel: 082-423 600 or go to www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.
