** Dates are subject to change

WORLD HARVEST FESTIVAL 2011 IN CONJUNCTION WITH GAWAI

The World Harvest Festival 2011 (WHF 2011) in conjunction with Gawai, is an ethnic festival which is one of the highlights of the Gawai Dayak celebrations. In its 7th year, WHF is not only synonymous with the festivities of the Dayaks, but has come to encompass the other ethnic groups in Sarawak as well as the tourists, to help reflect the true 1 Malaysia spirit of the people. The event is once again organised at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) from 28th and 29th May 2011. This ideal venue helps bring both locals and foreigners to experience together the Sarawak culture.

The WHF was established in line with the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage’s (MinTH) objective to position it as an international event on its tourism calendar. The WHF provides the opportunity for the non-Dayaks to understand the cultures, traditions and aspirations of the Dayak community, all within the event. The amount of the awareness and interest created by this festival promises the benefit for both the public sector and the tourism industry.

Among the many highlights of the WHF cultural event is the theme play held on May 28th, 2011. Last year it was based on the Orang Ulu legend, “Batang Arong & The Sky Goddess: When Love Hunts For Magic”, and this year it will be on the Bidayuh legend called “Selanting Kuning & The Dragon King”. What is unique about this theme play is that the whole Village become the stage, and the entire play promises to overwhelm the guests with surround around audio and visual splendour.

Another highlight of the festival is the ethnic beauty pageant “Miss World Harvest Festival 2011”. This beauty pageant revolves around the Bidayuh community theme. This year, fifteen beauties will vie for the coveted title. This year’s ethnic beauty pageant displays colours and vibrancy to the festival’s night. Last year’s winner of the ethnic beauty pageant was Cik Ummu Khansa Romainoor, an 18 years old Malay lass.

As always, the Harvest Festival or Gawai is celebrated on a grander scale with the participation of cultural troopes from other countries. This is evident in the International Cultural Concert, with day time workshops. This year our friends from “Nitto Rong Organization” Bangladesh and “Kumpulan Batambul Rungus Matunggong” of Sabah will be performing. A series of joint workshops by the locals and the invited troupes will be held during the 2 days festival. This is the ideal time for the visitors to have the opportunity to learn about each community’s traditions, foods and handicrafts.

For those who want to prove their manly prowess, there is the Ironman WHF 2011 competition. This is the other highlight to the festival that involves 15 finalists who need to exhibit ‘extraordinary’ strength in tackling the traditional based activities like blowpipe shooting, coconut dehusking, 50kg gunny rice lifting, wood chopping and mountain climbing.

The WHF promises to be a fun-filled event for the young and old. Bring along your loved ones and make this an affair to remember. What awaits you is a cultural extravaganza like no other. Tickets are on sale at the Sarawak Cultural Village.

For more inquiry or booking, please contact SCV at +6082-846 108 / 846 411.

RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

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 3 days festival is held at the Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum where the traditional habitats of Sarawak's major ethnic groups have been lovingly reproduced. Set amid lush rainforest greenery at the foothills of jungle clad Mount Santubong, and a stone's throw away from the beach resorts of the Santubong peninsula, the village provides the ideal venue for this festival that celebrates nature, ethnic music and the indigenous cultures of the world.

For more information, visit the RWMF Website! www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com