Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival: Borneo’s Jungle Rock 'n' Roll
- Martin Hesp
- May 29, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Deep in the ancient rainforests of Malaysian Borneo, where cicadas provide a deafening backdrop and Mount Santubong towers over the South China Sea, occurs one of the world's most extraordinary cultural gatherings. The Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak is no ordinary event: it is a three-day celebration where world-class musicians, indigenous tribal elders, and global travelers meet beneath a jungle canopy to dance, drum, and celebrate.
Set within the living museum of the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching, daytime workshops held inside traditional Dayak longhouses give way to electrifying evening mainstage performances. From the hypnotic strum of the indigenous Sape (the boat-shaped lute of the Orang Ulu) to thunderous West African drumming, this is music in its purest, wild form—Borneo’s very own brand of jungle rock 'n' roll.
Here is my photo journey through the sounds, colours, and raw energy of Sarawak's famous festival...
It was the best music event I’ve ever been to.
So, given that it is too hot to sit in my little garret writing any more today (I’ve already done my 900 word newspaper column for tomorrow’s paper and edited Bob Bell’s piece next door - which didn’t actually need much editing) - I have put together a short video and am bunging up some photos I took of the occasion…
Fast Facts & Festival Travel Guide Box
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Location: Sarawak Cultural Village, Damai Beach, Santubong Peninsula (approx. 45 minutes north of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo).
Venue: A 17-acre living museum featuring authentic replicas of traditional Sarawak ethnic dwellings, including Iban, Bidayuh, and Melanau longhouses.
Key Highlight: Daily afternoon interactive music and dance workshops in tribal longhouses followed by night concerts on open-air jungle stages.
Featured Instrument: The Sape—a traditional boat-shaped lute carved from a single block of wood, native to the Orang Ulu people of Sarawak.
Best Time to Visit: June / July (during the annual festival dates).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Section)
Frequently Asked Questions: Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival
Where is the Rainforest World Music Festival held?
The festival is held annually at the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai Beach, located at the base of Mount Santubong, approximately 35 km north of Kuching, the capital of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo.
What makes the Rainforest World Music Festival unique?
Unlike conventional music festivals, it takes place inside a living rainforest museum. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops and jam sessions inside authentic indigenous longhouses during the day before attending mainstage evening performances under the stars.
How do you get to the festival from Kuching?
Official shuttle buses and minivans run continuously between central Kuching hotels and the festival site at Damai Beach throughout the event, taking around 45 to 50 minutes each way.
What else is there to do near the festival site in Sarawak?
Visitors can explore Bako National Park (famous for wild proboscis monkeys), visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre to see orangutans, go dolphin watching along the Salak River, or sample famous Sarawak street food in Kuching.
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