Per la versione in ITALIANO sulle Tradizioni che si mischiano alla modernità ENTRARE NELL’ARTICOLO.

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Following 2014 exciting dance performances and colourful costumes by the Dayaks Dancers from Borneo, in 2015 Bali Spirit Festival  hosted a Borneo tent. It was there that I met David Metcalf, a masterclass photographer and author of the book “Looking for Borneo”, exhibiting 250 spectacular colour photos of Borneo. David is passionate about the Dayak people and has spent years exploring the outer reaches of one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes on the planet. He introduced me to a group of Dayak dancers directly from the jungles of Kalimantan: the Spirit of the Hornbill dance academy, 19 Dayak dancers flown in directly from the jungles of Kalimantan, Borneo.

Spirit of the Hornbill dancers

Spirit of the Hornbill perform Dayak dance and music, and have prepared a workshop that is part of a program in tour to lift the Dayak cultural traditions through dance. I learned that the academy had been formed just over one year before by Siti Habibah from the Dayak Ngaju tribe, Central Kalimantan. They teach young children from the age of seven years about Dayak dance and culture and perform in regional competitions. In 2014 they represented Central Kalimantan against many dance groups from around Indonesia in Semerang, and the older members of the group have performed in Jakarta on two occasions and at the Bali Writers festival.

Spirit of the Hornbill musicians

The spirit of the Hornbills dance academy was about to enter a new stage. The team of dance teachers will be heading out to the villages in Central Kalimantan to provide teaching to the Dayak children who currently receive no dance teaching at all. The idea is to give those kids some hope and to preserve their culture through dance. Borneo’s forests and culture is fast disappearing. One way to raise awareness is through cultural expression and dance, and communicating to people the importance of developing this art form.

Siti, leader of Spirit of the Hornbill

Siti, the leader of the dance studio, is a very talented dancer and teacher and needs support to take her studio from its humble beginnings to the next level. They do not have any musical equipment so the children mostly aged between 6 and 12 have to dance to a CD. When they perform they have to hire a traditional musical instrument if they can afford it. Siti started her studio by saving for many months to raise the $500 required to pay for the rent on the studio for the following 12 months.

Spirit of the Hornbill dancer

The objective is to buy the musical instrument they need, then dance uniforms, and other Dayak accessories to demonstrate and express their culture. You can read about Siti in David’s website: http://www.davidmetcalfphotography.com/siti-dayak-dancer/ . David’s objective is to help Siti achieve her dream, raise awareness about Dayak culture and pass on this aspect of Dayak culture to the younger generation, encouraging more young Dayaks to dance. If you wish to help, you can support Siti through Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/Sitis-Dream 

Spirit of the Hornbill dance academy performance at the Bali Spirit Festival was great; they designed a special dance for the opening night, and were the chosen band to close the festival.

You can watch them on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlFFZaFaMlc 

Read about David Metcalf movie, Long Sa’an, raising awareness about the plight of the forests and wildlife.

For great adventures in the Indonesian Kalimantan, check Central Borneo Guide by Yun, Siri’s sister. 

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Avevo grandi aspettative quando son salito sull’autobus che da Santubong, nel Borneo malese, portava in città a Kuching per assistere all’anteprima del Rainforest World Music Festival 2015, che includeva un esibizione del gruppo maldiviano Harubee, che non mi ha affatto deluso!

Harubee at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015

I 16 giovani membri della banda Harubee sono esplosi con energia una volta conquistato il palco vestiti con parei e con i loro stupendi tamburi in bella mostra. Hanno suonato una serie di canzoni bodu beru, uno degli aspetti più antichi della cultura Dhivehi, del tutto pertinente al tema di un festival musicale che presenta le attività culturali di vari paesi. I primi brani del gruppo hanno avuto ritmi alquanto lenti che sono pian piano saliti in un crescendo che ha incluso una fenomenale improvvisazione ed una spontaneità senza pari. Lo show ha mostrato anche delle splendide danze, e la folla al centro commerciale Plaza Merdeka di Kuching ha applaudito e ballato con loro fino alla fine del concerto. Questo mi ha dato la motivazione per fare una ricerca sul gruppo, nonché la voglia di fare una chiacchierata con alcuni dei suoi membri. Questa ricerca mi ha portato ai seguenti risultati:

HARUBEE 

La parola Harubee è il saluto tradizionale di un sultano: durante le celebrazioni della festa musulmana di Eid, la gente marcia con tamburi e trombe in una cerimonia chiamata Harubee Ah Vadaigathun.

Harubee drumming at Kuching’s Merdeka Plaza shopping mall

La parola è in seguito diventata il simbolo di questo gruppo di giovani uomini che condividono l’amore per la musica tradizionale maldiviana: il bodu beru. Alla fine degli anni ’90, gli Harubee altro non erano che un piccolo gruppo di amici: uno di loro suonava un dabiya – una brocca di latta – a mo’ di percussione, mentre gli altri cantavano. Non hanno mai smesso, evolvendosi nel corso degli anni fino a raggiungere l’apice della scena musicale alle Maldive, dove sono la miglior banda bodu beru. Hanno suonato ovunque: a festival, ad eventi culturali, in bar e club, e anche per strada!

BODU BERU

Harubee at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015

Bodu beru letteralmente significa ‘grande tamburo’ ed è uno degli aspetti preservati più antichi e più rappresentativi della cultura Dhivehi (la lingua delle Maldive). Si tratta di una delle attrazioni turistiche più popolari per chi visita le Maldive, che viene suonata periodicamente in ogni hotel. Questa musica viene solitamente eseguita da gruppi di 20 persone, tra cui spiccano un cantante e tre batteristi, il che lo rende uno spettacolo suggestivo.

Sembra che la musica bodu beru sia stata portata nelle isole Maldive da marinai e schiavi che vi arrivavano da varie parti dell’Africa e dalla penisola arabica nel periodo tra l’ 11 ° ed il 18 ° secolo; questi magnifici ritmi a percussione sono stati tramandati di generazione in generazione al fine di preservare le loro ascendenze africane. Al giorno d’oggi, questi ritmi scandiscono praticamente il vero pulsare di queste isole.

Le basi dei brani bodu beru sono formate da beat battuti su tamburi di pelle di capra che hanno un design tradizionale. Il bodu beru è sempre stata la musica della gente comune, suonata e cantata per rilassarsi dopo una dura giornata di lavoro. Esistono vari stili di bodu beru: baburu, nala, kaashimajaa, hedhi-beru, taki e zamaani. La maggior parte dei brani che compongono i repertori bodu beru sono così antichi che le loro origini sono andate perse completamente. Gli Harubee sfruttano il concetto di ‘antiche voci sui giovani volti’, migliorandone lo stile e rivitalizzandolo in maniera tale che il bodu beru, in passato considerato qualcosa di passato, sta tornando di moda.

LE CANZONI E LA MUSICA

Harubee at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015

Sbagliavo a pensare che i testi dei brani bodu beru avessero significati profondi: la particolarità più significativa del bodu beru è infatti il fatto che, ad accompagnare la rumorosa musica, ci sono testi per lo più senza un vero senso, un misto di parole locali, parole di paesi vicini ed alcune parole africane. Oggigiorno, i gruppi moderni hanno creato canzoni significative scritte interamente nella lingua locale Dhivehi e cantate al ritmo di bodu beru. Queste canzoni parlano di eroismo, di romanticismo o di satira, e in generale della vita di ogni giorno.

I brani bodu beru solitamente iniziano con un ritmo lento sottolineato dai tamburi e dalle danze. Gli artisti indossano un sarong ed una camicia bianca a maniche corte. Man mano che i brani prendono slancio e raggiungono un crescendo sempre più veloce e più rumoroso, uno o due dei ballerini si staccano dal gruppo e fanno movimenti frenetici, e in alcuni casi arrivando pure ad uno stato di semi-trance.

Harubee at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015

Il tamburellare viene fatto a mani nude su tamburi dal design tradizionale ricoperti di pelle di capra o di razza, ed è accompagnato da una campanella e da un onugandu – un piccolo pezzo di bambù con scanalature orizzontali che raschiato produce suoni rochi. Il modo di danzare dei membri della band è quasi sempre frenetico.

_____________________________

Tutti i membri della banda Harubee hanno un lavoro a tempo pieno e si gestiscono i loro impegni concertistici in base ai loro impegni lavorativi. La loro formazione infatti cambia a seconda di chi riesce a farsi dare le ferie e chi no. Il bodu beru è la loro passione, e tale deve rimanere. Tutti loro concordano nel dire che quando la musica stessa alla quale sono appassionati diventa un lavoro a tempo pieno, la passione lentamente ed inevitabilmente scompare.
Gli Harubee sono apparsi su National Geographic Channel e sulla BBC, e hanno suonato in eventi dal vivo, fiere del turismo, grandi eventi in hotel, fiere e festival internazionali, a volte anche al fianco di grandi artisti. Hanno praticamente girato tutto il mondo: India, Emirati Arabi Uniti, Russia, Sri Lanka, Malesia, Cina e Germania.

Il concerto degli Harubee al Rainforest World Music Festival 2015 è stato fenomenale e coinvolgente, caratterizzato da un’energia unica, assieme ad una mostra di virtuosismi che il pubblico ha totalmente apprezzato. E allora un hurra per gli Harubee, e se mai avrete l’opportunità di vedere uno dei loro concerti, non fatevela scappare!

Ascoltate la musica degli Harubee su https://soundcloud.com/harubee

La loro pagina Facebook è https://www.facebook.com/HarubeeBoduberu/

Il loro sito web è http://www.harubee.com

E la loro Email info@harubee.com

Questo è un breve video di Asianitinerary filmato al centro commerciale Merdeka Plaza di Kuching: https://youtu.be/AF0cjY6gVAY che può essere visualizzato anche su http://asianitinerary.com/harubee-at-the-rainforest-world-music-festival-2015/

The post Harubee: musica esplosiva bodu beru dalle Maldive appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

VIDEO POST: The Maldivian group Harubee share a love for the traditional Maldivian music, bodu beru . Watch them here at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015.

Read Asianitinerary article on Harubee on http://asianitinerary.com/harubee-explosive-bodu-beru-music-from-maldives/ 

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Ferrara Buskers banner

In my life, I have planned a trip to Mongolia several times, and for one reason or another I never got to make it into reality. But I have learned in life that most of the time, when I cannot go to a location, the location comes to me… For this reason I was so pleased to discover that at the Ferrara Buskers Festival 2014 (in Italy – http://www.ferrarabuskers.com), which I covered thanks to an invitation by the organizers, I found not one but three Mongolian groups part of the line up. One of those was called Sedaa.

Mongolia was in fact guest of honour at the 27th edition of Ferrara Buskers Festival 2014; the groups coming all the way from the land of Gengis Khan were Sedaa, Khukh Mongul and Hosoo & Transmongolian. There were lots of groups and artists at the colourful festival, yet it was very easy to distinguish the Mongolians: gaudy dresses full of tassels, carved instruments with strange and distinctive names (Morin Khuur, the horsehead violin. Bischgur, the Mongolian oboe. Dombra, a two string plugged instrument. Ikh Khuur, the doublebass), unusual archaic sounds and harmonic and guttural singing (called höömii).

Omid Bahadori skilled drumming

And so, in order to better get to know these unusual presences, we have found out more about Sedaa. Nasaa Nasanjargal, Naraa Naranbaatar and Ganzorig Davaakhuu are all music graduates from Mongolia capital Ulan Bator, are professional musicians and have been living in Germany for a number of years

Sedaa has incorporated Omid Bahadori, an Iranian multi-instrumentalist, in order to create a genuinely exotic connection between Orient and Mongolian steppe. Sedaa in Persian language means ‘voice’, and this describes the amazing singing techniques, with vibrating undertone vocals, multi-tonal voices and the amazing harmonic singing. The base of their modern composition is formed by natural sounds which are produced with traditional instruments coming from their nomadic ancestors together with the melancholy sounds of the horse head violin. It is in this way that Sedaa mesmerized the audience in Ferrara: with an innovative sound – dubbed ‘Mongolian Funk’, wild rhythmic songs and tender played ballads that take the listener on a journey in the wide landscape of nature, upon which they build their modern compositions.

Ikh Khuur the Mongolian doublebass

Sedaa members confessed that being in Europe is a great experience for them, one that give them the chance to meet musicians from all over the world, to play in indoor small locations that attract an audience whose taste is trained for this kind of performance.

Sedaa have been playing together and touring in hundreds of concerts all over Europe, and have produced three albums so far, and their latest one, ‘New Ways’, skillfully expands traditional sounds with danceable rhythms. The virtuosity of these musicians has allowed them to evolve into a seasoned and confident quartet, honing their virtuosity in the various instrumental and vocal traditions.

Sedaa full formation

Sedaa are available for bookings all over Europe throughout 2015 and 2016, as a quartet or a quintet with a drummer. For booking issues you can contact Omid Bahador, Fröbelstraße 15, 30451 Hannover, Germany, Tel: 0049 174 – 78 500 25, email: info@sedaamusic.com – omidbahadori72@googlemail.com – WWW: www.sedaamusic.com

Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sedaamusic

For more on Mongolian traditional music, read http://asianitinerary.com/epi-and-the-secret-behind-mongolian-throat-singing-2/  or watch Epi video on http://asianitinerary.com/epi-at-the-rainforest-world-music-festival-2015/

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VIDEO POST: Sanpuy Katatepan Mavaliyw is a taiwanese aboriginal coming from an ancient tribe. Sanpuy has been not only creating and prolonging aboriginal music, but also cultivating the new generation of the traditional music talents to let the world hear Taiwanese Aboriginal music. Sanpuy has won the Golden Melody Award’s Best Aboriginal Artist. Here Sanpuy at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015.

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VIDEO POST: I Mah Meri sono Orang Asli, indigeni provenienti dalla Malesia peninsulare che hanno vissuto lì da prima del 1000 aC. Con maschere spaventose, tamburi di registro e le signore in gonne mengkuang, i Mah Meri portano con sé gli antichi riti ed il folklore che ancora mantengono nella loro comunità a Carey Island. Qui i Mah Meri al Rainforest World Music Festival 2015

Leggete l’intervista di Catohrinner Joyce Guri al manager die Mah Meri group, Mr. Rashid Esa, per Asian Itinerary : http://asianitinerary.com/interview-with-mah-meri/ 

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During the interview session

Mah Meri, pronounced Max Mri, is a native group mostly native to Penisular Malaysia.  They are one of the 18 Orang Asli groups present in Malaysia, and can usually can be found in Pulau Carey, in Selangor province. Based on the data collection from Malaysian government’s Orang Asli Office, in 2005 there were about 2200 Mah Meri people. These people speak Besisi, which is part of Semelaic sub-branch of Aslian languages, part of Austroasiatic languages. Mah Meri’s village headman is known as Batin, and the group is famous for Tarian Jo’oh – or Jungle dance – and for Tarian Topeng – or Mask dance.

I knew from the festival program that Mah Meri was going to perform at the Rainforest World Music Festival, and with persistence and luck I managed to track down their group manager, Mr. Rashid Esa. Let me share with you the essence of my interview with Mr. Rashid.

Asian Itinerary: Can you tell us a bit about your band?

Mah Meri performing at the festival

Rashid Esa: Yes sure; I am the leader of Mah Meri group, and this year we are bringing to the Rainforest World Music Festival a different group, one with people who are real performers in their local villages. These people are not professional musicians but simple villagers performing their rituals, the new year celebrations, the healing dances, and more.

AI: Where do you hail from?

RE: We are from Carey Island, in Selangor, Malaysia.

Orang Asli mask

AI: Tell me please about your music.
RE: Well, our music is very similar to the Malay music, the instruments are violins, rebana (or tambourine), the gong, but the really unique traditional instrument in the Orang Asli music is the Centong Buluh, a bamboo stamping tube that all Orang Asli including Mah Meri use.

AI: What is the message you wish to transcend at the Rainforest World Music Festival?

RE: Our main purpose of being here is to promote their small culture. There are only about 4000 Orang Asli and we want to tell the world that these 4000 people are unique and very special, as I said early. Everything that was said about them in the past was wrong, their tribe name is different, their own name is different. And this has lead us to find out more on who they are. From their DNA we have realized they are not malays or Chinese, they are not Indian nor are Indonesian. So the question is, who are they? And if this question is unanswered, then we can at least ask ourselves: when did they come to Malaysia? It must have been pretty early if we judge from their ancestral practices, their music and their religion.

Mah Meri performing at the festival

It brings to mind John Lennon’s lyrics, where he says there is no country, no boundary, no religion and no war. These people’s religion is such that there is no life and there is no death; they believe that when we die we become a spirit and we  still live on. This is reflected in their celebration called the spirit day, where they celebrate together with the spirit. This is the crucial difference between our society and theirs, and we hope that we can understand it and not interfere with their belief.   If we do so, then we will destroy their community.

AI: Is this your first time performing at the Rainforest World Music Festival?

RE: No, this is our fourth time, but we always come with a different group.

Orang Asli decoration clothes

AI: What  do you think makes you different from the other groups at the Rainforest World Music Festival?

RE: These are real people, performing different rituals from different villages. So, here we are, bringing you the sound of the rainforest with forest people who produce that sound and that music.

AI: How long have you been in the music industry?

RE: With the Mah Meri, very very long, more than 30 years. We represent 4000 of them, promoting their culture through music. Some people prefer to fight for their rights, maybe through demonstrations, but with the Mah Meri we do it through their culture. Music is not the only aspect, we also promote their sculptures, as they will remain in the times. Also, in the festival workshop we are going to introduce the oldest origami in the world, the leaf origami.

AI: In your opinion what is the connection between music and nature?

Mr. Rashid Esa at the press conference

RE: I believe it is one and the same thing. Take the harvest for instance: the Orang Asli sing a song about it, tell a story, and this is not only to heal or to change the world, but also to remind themselves that there is a power beyond the known. And this is the relationship between the other world and this world, things that we cannot see and that it gets expressed in their music. So they sing a song, and chant it over and over; we call it music but they called it differently. They are telling the spirit that they are now planting and during this act is also preservation. You cut a tree you must use the wood, you kill an animals you must eat the meat, you carve a sculpture you must at least leave the sculpture there. This is a very different culture that you cannot find elsewhere in Malaysia today.

I take leave from Rashid Esa, filled with this special information he shared with me, and happy to know more about Mah Meri and their music and culture.

To know more about Mah Meri, and to experience their culture yourself, visit the Mah Meri Cultural Village website http://mmcv.org.my/web/ for programs and prices.

Watch Thomas Gennaro video of Mah Meri at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015: http://asianitinerary.com/mah-meri-at-the-rainforest-world-music-festival-2015/

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VIDEO POST: Epi viene dalla Mongolia, esercita il canto con la gola e suona il morin khuur, tradizionale violino mongolo. Qui lo vediamo in esibizione al Rainforest World Music Festival 2015!

Per informazioni sul canto di gola mongolo, leggere: http://asianitinerary.com/epi-and-the-secret-behind-mongolian-throat-singing-2/ e http://asianitinerary.com/sedaa-mongolian-funk/

The post Epi al Rainforest World Music Festival 2015 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

VIDEO POST: I Culture Shot, noti anche come La La La Li Tam Pong, in un esibizione al Rainforest World Music Festival 2015.

The post Culture Shot at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

The Understanding of Music

I have been attending the Rainforest World Music Festival for the past two years and every time I wonder what kind of music this festival will bring me. Most of the time I have thought it was all about traditional music, and it was not a wrong guess, but there was more to that. Let me explain you.

Rainforest World Music Festival banner

The Rainforest World Music Festival is not exactly confined to traditional music, it is also to do with music that connects human beings with nature and people. Music that was introduced or inspired since long time ago. Heritage music, a combination of culture, ethnic and forest. Let me give you an example:

Lan E Tuyang, a popular performer from Sarawak, plays the Sape, a traditional guitar which has a calm and natural sound. Epi the Mongolian sing through his throat in order to communicate with nature and especially with animals. Kapela Malisz play their music to get Polish people in a dancing mood. You can see it is all connected to something, and that something is always people and forest and nature.

Happiness in the performers eyes

Try to imagine a Sape, made of wood, a special wood. Wood, we can get that from a  tree which is found in a forest. No complicate concept about the ‘hidden’ scope of the Rainforest World Music Festival: it is not only jazz or rock and roll music, it is original music produced long time ago to communicate with people and nature, a music that was upgraded from time to time, and that is what makes it very interesting.

If I had to describe the Rainforest World Music Festival in simple words, I would say it is an organised, very indigenous, harmonious, humorous, beautiful, full of smile, natural, multicultural, energetic, very family oriented chant.

Performers at the event talk:

Polish music Malisz family

Kapela Maliszow – Poland

Overall, we think this is a good mix of all cultures of the world. It feels real for us, it involves various groups, it is balanced and amazing, something for everyone. It is a fun and advanced festival where nothing seems to be missed. I understand that Asia is a continent full of several cultures which have incredibly exotic music, but music from Europe and Australia and elsewhere is also good, so, well done for the festival organizers for managing to mix us all.

Ukandanz team

Ukandanz – France/Ethiopia

We think the Rainforest World Music Festival is spectacular because the people are very friendly and open-minded, and Malaysia is a very great place to play in, very open. Sarawak is so far from France, we needed 26 hour to arrive here, so for us it is a very nice opportunity and we are very thankful to those who invited us here to share. What I find particularly interesting is to see so many people wishing to defend their kind of music. This is what I think makes this festival special. Each group and team bring their own music, and makes the festival alive.

Scottish band Shooglenifty

Shooglenifty – Scotland

We feel very lucky to be we here, this is our first time and we already feel the Rainforest World Music Festival is a progressing festival, it develops and it is therefore very important to local people. It encourages their local culture and it strengthens it to the point that tribes are more confident to bring their culture forward and not to destroy it in this 21st century. The festival is also a great platform to share music, dance and joy.

I would say that I find it a bit critical that only Sarawak Tourism Board and Malaysia Airlines mainly sponsored this festival. There should be more corporate sponsors to understand the importance of this exotic festival, mixing people form all over the world and putting them in contact with this environment, the jungle. May I also suggest to the organizers to perhaps put more emphasize on the environment and how to preserve it, perhaps through workshops or discussion boards on how to conserve the rainforest, as this is the Rainforest World Music Festival and this is why people are here.

Check out dates for the 2016 Rainforest World Music Festival at www.rwmf.net

Asianitinerary stayed at the Damai Beach Resort – http://asianitinerary.com/damai-beach-resort/

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Back during my high school time, sometime in 2005, I was told that Mongolians sing perfectly with loud, strong and great voices, and that they can sing with their throat… Everybody urged me never to miss a show if I had the chance to see a Mongolian throat singing performance, whether here or if I was to travel to Mongolia. When I asked why, I was told Mongolian tribes are amazing, unique and different. I then asked why would they sing so good, and this fellow informed me that Mongolians have great voices thanks to the environment of their unique country, covered in mountains and nature.

Epi and his fiddle

With that kind of distinctness, Mongolians sing from the top of mountains and their sounds reach their cattle, mainly composed of lambs or camels. Ever since, I have been curious about this story, about these tribes and their singing. I wanted to know how far this story was true; or was it just a myth? With this in mind, I started to develop a wish to, one day, travel and visit these tribes in their homeland, Mongolia.

Imagine the great surprise when I learned that a Mongolian was going to perform at the Rainforest World Music Festival this year, showcasing this traditional art of Mongolian throat singing. It was to be a great opportunity for me to go and see the performer, as well as a chance and an honour to ask about that little story I had been told.

Epi friendly face

It was on the first day at the festival, after the artists’ press conference where he had been a guest too, that I met Mr. Enkh Jargal Dandarvaanchig, also known as Epi. He was so friendly and talkative, with a constant smile on his face, that I had the impression he was younger than his actual 47 years of age. I felt privileged to be able to talk to him, and his exceptional presence stimulated me to ask about that old story and also about his traditional music. So I did, and the answer was, “the story is only 25% true”…

“In Mongolia, people have lots of animals, so most of the time it is hard for the owner to know which animal belong to him. By singing to them, the animals recognize the owner’s voice”. Epi explained that Mongolian herders sing to their animals since they are puppies, and the animals always relate to the particular songs they hear all the time.

Epi with his fiddle

“Also, Mongolia is a land with lots of mountains and valleys, so Mongolian people sing or talk as loud as they can in order to communicate. Their voices are so loud that can be heard at a 10 to 20 kilometers distance. If you are in Mongolia, do not be surprised to hear people singing in the streets. This is a practice we inherited from generation to generation: in the local language we call the throat singing khoomii”.

So, that was the big secret behind the throat singing; my curiosity was satisfied, but that was not all. Epi shared the story of his life with me. He started singing at the age of 12, when he sang along with his parent and siblings. As he later found out that Mongolian traditional songs were so different from others, he went further and deeper into singing.

This passion prompted him also to playing traditional Mongolian music instruments like the Mongolian Horse Dead Violin, or Fiddle, also known as morin khoor. Epi told me he firmly believes in the importance of learning the traditional music of his country, which he finds fantastic, unique and deeply rooted in nature. This is one of the reasons Epi decided to perform at the Rainforest World Music Festival: for the spirit of the music played throughout the festival, and for the festival relation to nature! In the end of the interview, he wanted to give a message to all the people attending the festival: “Please respect nature, the natural resources, the animals and the Earth”.

Epi’s performance

But let me tell you about Epi’s performance: it was amazing, the theatre was packed with people all patiently waiting for his songs, waiting to hear his magic voice. He is a solo performer, and the moment he started playing his violin and singing, the audience was all of a sudden silent, like kidnapped. I personally watched dazzled, his passion was unbelievable and the performance spectacular.

He is alone on stage, yet if feels like more people are singing: he can sing in different voices, all sounding perfect, and his violin can imitate a horse’s cry. I never expected it to be that good. By the end of the concert, everyone stood up and gave him several rounds of applause. His show really satisfied my initial curiosity. I may not be able to travel to Mongolia to see a great performance, but by covering the Rainforest Water Music Festival, I achieved what I wanted.

I must say thanks to Rainforest Water Music Festival for making me discover Epi. I am aware I cannot really travel to Mongolia this time in my life, yet I had the chance to see an amazing traditional music performance nonetheless. Don’t miss the chance to discover world and tribal music: attend the Rainforest Water Music Festival next year. You can learn about music but also culture and environment. What do you say?

BIO

Epi shows Catohrinner the Mongolian throat singing

Epi was born 1968 in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). He grew up in a little village near the russian border. He studied at Music-Conservatorium of Ulaanbaatar from 1990 to 1992 and his teacher was the most known and best Moorin Hoor (Horsefiddle) player in Mongolia.

During his studies, Epi already played in a Moorin Hoor quintet also in the Mongolian television to keep traditional Mongolian music traditions alive. Because of his familiar background, Epi is deeply rooted into the traditional and nomadic way of life that his people live in Mongolia (Epi’s father went into the steppe to raise horses, where Epi also lost his heart). In 1993 Epi went to Germany for the first time. He went there with Altain Orgil. During this first visit Epi and Rüdiger Oppermann met for the first time. Together with Rüdiger Oppermann, Epi played not only in Germany but also in a lot of other European countries and the USA. The last huge concerts brought Epi to the Expo 2002 in madrid, Gran Canaria and Paris… and a lot more…

Besides, Epi is a beloved guest musician and/or singer in different music projects: together with Peter Gantzmann he celebrates the Mongolian Hip-Hop, in a Duo Rainer Granzin he enjoys showing his jazzy side. That way he was able to prove his ability to improvise in a world of modern music.  His interpretation of the Mongolian folk music lets him step between two worlds and wherefore his solo CD is named “Hoirr Öngö” (between two worlds). Epi was a guest musician on different CD studio recordings. Epi the miracle voice from Mongolia is a wanderer between cultures.

Epi talking at the Press Conference

With his play on the Moorin Hoor and the perfection of his Choomie singing, Epis loves to melt his traditional roots with the modern and western cultured music in a brilliant improvisation.

After some tacts and tones Epi offers the smell and the beauty of the Mongolian steppe to the ears and the eyes of the audience. Epi lives in Karlsruhe (Germany) and is travelling a lot to share his passion (music) with the audience of Europe and the whole world.

Anyone who knows the funny, lovely, cheerful way Epi is, knows that he regards also the small things in life and those obviously small things can take great effects on happy living.

Check out his video at http://asianitinerary.com/epi-at-the-rainforest-world-music-festival-2015/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enkhjargal.dandarvaanchig

Epi bio: http://rwmf.net/performer/enkh-jargal-dandarvaanchig-epi/

Rainforest World Music Festival: http://asianitinerary.com/the-18th-rainforest-world-music-festival-2/

More about Mongolilan traditional groups: http://asianitinerary.com/sedaa-mongolian-funk/

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Taiwanese artist, Sangpuy, will share his many musical similarities with the Dayaks of Borneo at the forthcoming Rainforest World Music Festival to be held from August 7 to 9.

Believed to be the descendants of Austronesian tribes from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Madagascar and the Pacific Islands, this Taiwanese aborigine will showcase his musical presentation reflecting one of the oldest surviving cultures that includes the practice of headhunting, a passion for tattoos, animism and reverence for the natural world.

Bringing back the old traditional music of the aborigines of his country, Sangpuy’s music presentation creates a quiet spiritual atmosphere evoking the blessings of ancestors and the origins of life and sings in praise of ancient ceremonies from a time when the gods of the natural world were respected.

Also known as Sangpuy Katatepan Mavaliyw, he describes himself as an old soul in a young body presenting the ancient music of the Pinuyumayan tribe.

With his mesmerizing voice and unique chant combined with the traditional instruments of the Pinuyumayan, he staged a transcendent experience to bringing his audience to the place where the indigenous people see the wind as friend and live side by side with nature and its spirits.

Sangpuy was born and raised in the Pinuyumayan community of Katatipul in Taitung and from early age he felt attracted to the music of the tribal people. He sees his music as a medium to promote and preserve the culture of his tribe and performs in music festivals and events in different countries including performing at Riddu Riddu music festival in Norway.

“When we performed abroad, the response to our music was so overwhelmingly accepted that it has given me the strength to continue my path of traditional tribal music,” Sangpuy said.

His debut album released in November 2012, contains 14 works of which seven are of ancient origin and the other half are new compositions which focuses on life, earth and the relationship with ancient spirits and human beings.

On top of that, the Taiwanese artist also makes traditional instruments such as the nose flute and the mouth harp, a typical instrument which is used by Taiwan’s indigenous people and which makes a sound which is unique to the country.

Festivals entrance tickets are now available online and for more information on the festival, please log on to its website at http://rwmf.net

Watch a video of Sanpuy at http://asianitinerary.com/sangpuy-dayak-heritage-at-rwmf-2015/

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Hurrah for Bali SPirit Festival!

Sunday, the last day at the Bali Spirit Festival www.balispiritfestival.com, is Hari Cinta Kewarga, or family day. A day when kids and their families are invited to enjoy the spirit of the festival, with special classes tailored towards kids and the whole family.

Since I felt a little tired from the day and night before 16 hours marathon, I opted for a Tai Chi class. Canadian born Panda Chi, from Chinese descents, has been practicing the art and philosophy of Tai Chi from the early age of 12. His short morning class was more spiritual and on feeling our soul and innemost being rather than on Tai Chi movements, and this suited my slow morning mood.

Sarina Jain with Punna

The real shock came from the class after that, Masala Bhangra workout by USA born, Indian Sarina Jain. I wanted to attend this workout as I well remembered how great I felt at Sarina’s class at BaliSpirit Festival in 2013; I was not wrong.

This time Sarina was accompanied by her partner as well as by two Indian bearded drummers who gave the beat to the Indian dance music while we danced Bollywood style!

Dancing at Sarina Jain Masala class

The Main Pavillion was filled with at least 200 people, which made the dance floor crowded but funny all the while. We danced and sweated as we learned Bhangra movements mixed with funky dances. Great stuff, which made my t-shirt soaked wet and my legs numb. Check on Sarina’s fitness classes and more on www.masaladance.com

Dharma Fair

After another great lunch at the Dharma Fair, where I filled up with an amazingly tasty quinoa and fern salad, we headed to the Bale Down to watch the Long Sa-an movie presentation by photographer David Metcalf. It is an incredibly brave journey, both physical and mental, that a group of people embark on with the purpose of saving the forest dwelling of the Dayaki people. The preservation of their culture depend on the forest, so check on www.thejourneyback.info to know more about this amazing project. Local songwriter Robi Navicula delighted us with some great music.

Borneo tribal women

The last class of the day was at the Main Pavilion where Cristi Christensen delivered an emotional tutorial on deep inhaling energy, moving and connecting with ourselves and with the others. It started as a slow affair, to which over 300 people participated filling the whole pavilion, and developed into something so strong that I have difficulty in describing. A former gymnast and platform diver, Cristi Christensen specializes in yoga techniques that provide balance while centering the mind and body. She applies sacred movements and exhaling to her classes, delivering bright energy in a unique class style; I could not help but feel her infectious energy throughout the class, and this was a blessing ending to my Bali Spirit Festival 2105.

At that point,, after all that holistic voyage, I wished there was a BaliSpirit Festival every month everywhere. This festival delivers a mix of emotions and lets you really open up body and mind for a healthier, happier life! So long Bali Spirit Festival.

Asianitinerary stayed at the Lodtunduh Sari Villas –  http://asianitinerary.com/lodtunduh-sari-villas-ubud/ 

TO BOOK LODTUNDUH SARI VILLA CLICK HERE !

TODAY’S ARTISTS

Sarina Jain

Sarina Jain

Born in California, Sarina started leading fitness classes at a young age, and has been a certified fitness instructor for more than 18 years. She completed studies in marketing and public relations in Los Angeles before founding her company, Masala Dance & Fitness, Inc., in 1999. She soon relocated to New York where she successfully cultivated a larger audience for her cross-cultural fitness ideas. An energetic fitness innovator, music video choreographer, and international television/radio personality, Ms. Jain is America’s first cross-cultural fitness star and the creator of the Masala Bhangra Workout@reg;, which fuses Bhangra with modern, funky dance moves. Ms. Jain also hosts her own TV segment on Discovery Channel’s Fit TV, has a show on ExerciseTV, and she regularly appears on networks and programs including NBC and Today. For more information see: www.masaladance.com

Panda Chi

Panda Chi

Panda, from Chinese descent, was born in 1958, Vancouver Canada. From the age of 12 he began practicing the art and philosophy of Tai Chi. By incorporating Tai Chi’s main principle of non-resistance and following one’s true nature he was slowly brought to all his spiritual teachers who gave him the profound experience of his innermost being: Soul Realization. With a background of more than 35 years in the fields of Eastern Therapeutic Therapies and Self-Realization arts he has combined his personal awakenings and trainings to create a unique work that leads to transformation and Soul-Realization. He has taught for more than 20 years. He is also the author of two books and his instructional DVD, “Self-Realization Through Movement.” For more information about Panda, see: www.pandayoga.net

Cristi Christensen

A former elite-level gymnast and platform diver, Cristi trained with the US Olympic diving team as an young adult. After an injury cut her Olympic dreams short, Cristi shifted her focus to helping others improve their level of fitness through personal training, Pilates, Core Fusion, and yoga. From 2006-2014, Cristi served as the Director of the internationally renowned Exhale Center for Sacred Movement in Venice, CA, where she continues to teach yoga and Core Fusion. Cristi combines her teaching, practice, and bright energy into a dynamic and unique classroom style that translates into an infectious energy that her students can’t help but feel during each class. She spreads this energy across the globe, leading workshops, retreats, and has graced the covers of Yoga Journal and LA Yoga. For more information on Cristi, please see: www.cristichristensen.com

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Workshop at Bali Spirit Festival

When I attended the Bali Spirit Festival – www.balispiritfestival.com – for the first time two years ago, I was lucky to have enough time to dedicate to the full 5 days program. This year, I am only blessed to attend the last two days so I was determined to make the most out of them, at the same time trying not to get too worn out…

As I collected my Media Pass on Saturday morning at the Purnati Center, my eyes quickly scanned through the full schedule of the festival: soooo many different and varied classes and seminars had already happened in the past three days, some not to be repeated. I felt so bad to have missed all that action.

Malaika Maveena Darville

I continued scanning the daily program and I realized I had little time left to make it to the Grove Pavillion, where I enjoyed the wisdom of Malaika Maveena Darville. Malaika, of Canadian and Jamaican ancestry, brings a wealth of wisdom for an immediate awakening as we got to dance in circles, mimicking impersonations of Shiva and Shakti: we interacted with each other, touching hearts and hands and sharing with all present beings. It was such a strong experience made of dance, release, and of a deep looking into our own heart. Malaika class is called ‘5 Elements Shiva Shakti Heart Activation, and I was fully taken by it. Towards the end, tears rolled down my cheek. What an emotional start, I thought. I was indeed ready for more.

Sam Weinstein

I was about to join the ‘Gospel Singing Dancing and Drumming Revival‘ at the Amphitheater when  I noticed that Sam Weinsntein was preparing his class at the Bale Down. I could not miss it, as the night before I had been quite taken by the description of his classes: “Yoga with heart, postures, breath and a bit of sweat and laughter”. If fate was bringing me to him, I thought I could not resist it. I found a tiny space in the crowded room and soon realized I was in the right place!

Sam is a passionate teacher who enriches detailed Iyengar yoga and therapeutic postures, a class for everyone and at any yoga level, entertaining thanks to his stories and anecdotes about his life journey into yoga, his time in India and more. The class ended up being tiring due to the fast flows we endured, I must admit, but it was also so rewarding and warm. I hope you cross Sam’s world path one day.

earthy food and organic veggie at the Dharma Fair

Lunch was a great affair of Balinese earthy food and organic veggie wraps at the Dharma Fair, where all sort of food mingled: Indian, vegetarian as well as delicious cakes and tasty coffees. There were yoga clothes and merchandise stalls, art and jewelry, and a wealth of eco-information to be digested too!

Outside of the pavillions, local Balinese women were dressing the lawn with colourful flowers in fantastic floral carpets, and the Brazilians were preparing their capoeira class. There were lots of people of all kind of nationalities and ages, and it felt great to be in such a multiethnic environment. I had not felt that magic since the previous Bali Spirit Festival!

Daniel Rojas

I split the following two hours between Colombian Daniel Rojas and his great class on inspirational dance, and the amazing singer/guitar player duo Daphne Tse, a regular at Bali Spirit Festival, and Zenthai Shiatsu master, Australian Gwyin Williams, who combined his yoga class with Chinese medicine for a unique therapeutic practice, accompanied by Daphne’s cool, relaxing sounds. At 3 pm my energy was about to leave me.

I had missed the 1pm Press Conference on HIV/AIDS but promised myself to look online at their amazing foundation work. Check them on Facebook or on Youtube: Ayo Ubud. I had also missed the Media Panel discussion on Ayurveda practice, but this is Bali Spirit Festival: you can’t have it all, it is all about choices…

Jeffrey Armstrong

The choice of the last workshop of the day was a bit of a dilemma for me, but in the end, music and philosophy won my heart and I made my way to the Main Pavillion to listen to Jeffrey Armstrong’s speech accompanied by live Indian music by Kevin James and Friends and by Punnu Singh Wasu.

Balinese dancers on the lawn

Motivational speaker Jeffrey Armstrong enlightened us about the Bhaktri concept whereas we are all our own gurus if we consider the Bhaktri dimensions. First of these dimensions is to realize that we should all care and respect all living beings, and be regulated by their lifestyle. Mantra chanting was a great way to feel unite with the group, and we expressed gratitude to the planet and to Bali in particular.

Here, at the Bali Spirit Festival, we are called to understand more and more about our magic planet Earth, and we leave as ambassadors with a very special message to the world. Kavin James’ lovely interpretations of the mantra songs closed my first, inspiring day at the Bali Spirit Festival.

See you tomorrow!

Asianitinerary stayed at the Lodtunduh Sari Villas –  http://asianitinerary.com/lodtunduh-sari-villas-ubud/ 

TODAY’S ARTISTS

Malaika Maveena Darville

Malaika Maveena Darville

Malaika Darville is a world class Global Facilitator, ISHTA Yoga teacher, Water Dance Practitioner, Lomi Lomi Practitioner, Tantric Workshop Facilitator and Global Humanitarian. She is the Creatrix of 5ELEMENTS DANCE ACTIVATION™ and has been sharing her passion and wisdom internationally for the past 25 years. Committed to her own personal development and healing she has lived and studied all over the world. She embodies the Earth wisdom of the Indigenous people she was privileged to spend time and learn from including one year in an African Village. Her workshops are high energy, powerful Shamanic Activations for both men and women to restore balance, connection and community. For more information, see: www.inmyelements.com

Sam Weinsntein

Sam Weinstein

Sam Weinstein has been teaching yoga for 42 years. His first mentor was the yoga legend of consciousness Pujari of 70’s San Diego California -launching Sam on his path of yoga and consciousness.

After Sam completed Pujari’s 3 year yoga teacher training he went on to India to Study with B.K.S. Iyengar in Poona. Sam is developing a teaching style called Transformational Yoga. A merging of detailed Iyengar Method, simple hatha yoga, flow, and therapeutic. Stretch, Breathe, Sweat, laugh, a tear or a smile. Geared to all levels emphasizing only go to your edge. He is a passionate teacher full of stories of India and life. Sam has total faith in all his students, their goodness and their beauty. It is with this faith that he encourages students to discover themselves and allow transformation. Sam and his wife Sydel run The Home Of Yoga in Mosman Park Western Australia. They run a Yoga Teacher Training program and lead yearly Yoga Retreats in Bali. For more information, see: www.homeofyoga.com

Daniel Rojas

Daniel Rojas

Based in Scandinavia, professional Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Nutritionist, Yoga Teacher, Daniel Sonic Rojas has been dancing for more than 20 years. In addition to dance, Daniel has a strong practice in Yoga, Meditation and Nutrition, including certification as a Yoga Instructor and as a Raw Food Chef.

As a performer and teacher, Daniel is known around the world for his creativity and individual way of expressing himself by telling stories through dance. Combining his Latin roots and his experiential journey of many years as a professional dancer/performer, Daniel has created his own style that he calls CONTEMPORARY-BREAK. At the 2015 BaliSpirit Festival Daniel will be teaching Embodied Dance, a unique play shop created by Daniel ‘Sonic’ Rojas, that combines elements of different dance cultures to inspire freedom & creativity in dancers, as well as non-dancers, to break the boundaries of dance and explore feeling through movement. It is Daniel’s aim to integrate Yoga, Dance, Meditation and Nutrition into a holistic offering to better understand the Body/Mind, as well as a way to spread his message to the world: Live, Love & Dance. For more information about Daniel, see the following links:

Interview for Savory Academy on Contemporary Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKo9EkwdcYM

Personal Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlQTeVS90Sw

This is an interview he gave about teaching yoga for dancers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gKdFAICxFY

Gwyin Williams

Gwyn Williams

Gwyn Williams has spent 15 years effectively combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with Yoga to create Zenthai Shiatsu to allow a unique, therapeutic and awakened art to deepen your practice and share with another. Also a martial arts and acroyoga teacher, he utilizes a lifetime of learning from masters of Thai Massage and Osteopathy to share his prime passion.. Awareness. The way you hand touches the mat ,your foot rises into the air or your touch meets another body will definitely become a more rich and sacred experience.

For more information, see: www.zenthaishiatsu.com

Jeffrey Armstrong

Jeffrey Armstrong

Back at the BaliSpirit Festival for the third year in a row, Jeffrey Armstrong, Founder of VASA (the Vedic Academy of Sciences & Arts), will challenge your mind and open your heart and show you a vision of a new world that blends modern science with timeless wisdom. Part guru, part poet, a CEO with endless energy and passion, he considers himself “an astronaut of inner space” and believes that a instinctual need for balance is what has led to the unprecedented popularity of yoga. Jeffrey is an award-winning poet and best-selling author of numerous books including his recent book: Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar, Ancient Wisdom for a New World, published by Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster. He is a relationship expert, philosopher, practitioner and teacher of the Vedas for over 40 years and spent five years in an ashram as a brahmacharya (monk). For more information about Jeffrey, see: www.JeffreyArmstrong.com

Punnu Singh Wasu

Punnu Singh Wasu 

Punnu Singh Wasu born in Hyderabad, India into a family that has a true love for Kirtan. He is a multi talented musician, singer/composer, healer, yoga teacher & a spiritual activist. He is a devoted harmonium, mandolin and tabla player with a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest core of listeners. Punnu offers a variety of classes & courses at The Yoga Barn, Bali among meditation & melodic sound journey – his Indian Kirtan is a highlight. Aside from his other performances globally Punnu also has performed in Bhaktifest Joshua Tree in 2010/11 & at Bali Spirit Festival in 2010/12/13 and 2015. Check on him at www.punnuwasu.com

The post Bali Spirit Festival 2015 Day 1 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

In August 2015, the city of Kuching, in Sarawak Borneo, will resonate once again with the entrancing sounds of the sape. Yes! the Rainforest World Music Festival is here again and it will not be what it is today without the sape, the boat-shaped lute that has become the symbol of the Rainforest World Music Festival.

geng wak long

Exotic music from across the globe will be presented. A thousand harmonies seemingly at odds and yet in unison, a world apart but here, one world, together…… a real adventure in Borneo!

Every year, thousands and thousands of music lovers travel across the globe for that annual pilgrimage to Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The event has found its home in Santubong, a 45 minute drive from Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak. It has once again been voted among the top 25 international festivals for the 6^th consecutive year by Songlines, a renowned world music magazine. This annual event, now in its 18^th year, is organized by the Sarawak Tourism Board and is a 3 day celebration of music workshops and action-packed stage shows. The event this year will be held from the 7 to 9 August 2015.

Under the imposing shadow of Mount Santubong, and in the midst of a virgin rainforest at the edge of the South China Sea, the Rainforest World Music Festival is a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of the mythical island of Borneo.

The kinship and spirit among music makers and music lovers alike as they celebrate one another in the cradle of Mother Nature is unique to the green haven where thousand-year old trees reign.  An annual communion whose spirit is as timeless as the intricate ecosystem that celebrates the diversity of life. This year, concurrent with workshops, there will be shows beginning in the afternoon at 2 pm in the ‘Theatre Stage’, making it a total of 3 stages throughout the festival days. For festival-goers who wish to interact with the musicians and experience the music and dance of the different cultures up close, the workshops will continue at the same time at various ‘houses’ at the venue. The nights are five-hour concerts that take place on a main ‘Jungle Stage’ and smaller “Tree Stage” that carries on past midnight.

Ndima

Nighttime concerts are held on a stage built by the lake, under the open sky and in an informal ambiance, sitting on the grass lawns and dancing to entrancing world beats. The festival then culminates in a huge finale on the final night, where all performers are invited to play onstage as one.

Line-up for 2015 is to be announced soon. Around twenty bands line-up representing many countries across the globe, a mix of the exotic, unknown and well loved, will be on both day and night festival program this year.

Sarawak – The Land of Adventure

Sarawak is a place for history, mystery, romance and exotic adventures, the land of the fabled white Rajahs, the Hornbills and the Orang Utans. Its rainforest houses the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystem. The ancient virgin forest is also home to 27 ethnic groups with their own distinct languages, culture and lifestyle. Their ancient cultures may differ but they have one thing in common, their warmth and hospitality.

Aerial view of Damai and Santubong

Arrive in Sarawak and you step into adventure. Opt for a morning stroll in the national park near your hotel, trek through pristine jungle featuring breathtaking landscapes and the world’s longest rainforest-canopy walk or spend days exploring the world’s most extensive cave system. Visit caves that were inhabited 40,000 years ago, learn how Indian and Chinese merchants traded for Sarawak’s exotica centuries before the first Europeans came here, with tales of princes and pirates, of headhunters and explorers. Or simply relax on our beaches on the South China Sea, scuba dive off dramatic reefs or just enjoy a round of golf on one of our excellent courses. Sarawak has something for everyone and all are welcome.

What to expect at the Rainforest World Music Festival

Apart from the music, there will also be a smorgasbord of delectable delights at the Food and Village Mart set against the talismanic Orang Ulu and Iban longhouses which encircle the venue for the whole duration of the festival.  Take back with you a variety of arts and craft, event memorabilia as well as CD and recordings of the performing artistes. There will be a showcase of the culture of Sarawak for you to experience and to bring back wonderful memories.

Music is not all about sound; it is an art-form, and with it comes culture, diversity, creativity, talent, and spellbinding performances.  The Rainforest World Music Festival is a not-to-be-missed occasion in the heart of the Borneo Jungle. This is where people regardless of their ethnicity, cultural backgrounds and music interests come together for three magical days for a fun filled, wholesome festival experience with a country fair atmosphere amidst lush greenery. Come experience a truly memorable musical extravaganza amidst the lush green paradise that is the mythical land of Sarawak.   We bid you, “Selamat Datai”! (Welcome!)

More updates on the Rainforest World Music Festival 2015 are available online at www.rwmf.net

Entry Tickets to RWMF:

Lindigo

Early-bird is available for sale until Sunday, May 31 and and Pre-Sale promo ticket offers will be available from June 1 to August 6, 2015. The offers will also available through ticketing agencies as listed at www.rwmf.net. For rainforest music lovers, the early bird tickets will be priced at RM180.00 for family package of 2 adults and 2 children (7-12 years of age), RM85.00 for 3-day child pass and RM30.00 for 1-day child pass. The adult pass for early bird is RM250.00 for 3-day pass and RM90.00 for 1-day pass. The early bird sales will end on May 31, 2015.

Tips for an enjoyable Rainforest World Music Festival experience:

• Be there early. There are usually long queues at the gate for tickets or access to the venue due to ticket verification and other security measures.
• Please do not bring non-permitted items (knives, sharp items) as they will be confiscated
• No food & drink and animals are allowed to be brought inside the venue.
• Food, beverage, CDs, souvenirs and crafts will be on sale at the event. All items are sold on CASH Terms except where indicated and there is no ATM machine at the venue so please prepare accordingly.
• Limited car-parking facilities are available near the festival site. However, to avoid any inconvenience, you are encouraged to catch the shuttle buses which will operate at regular intervals during the event.
• You can bring your own lawn chairs or mats.
• Bring along a desire to be at one with nature and a yearning to celebrate and unite with kindred spirits from around the globe.

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