KUCHING: Dancing in the rain, making friends from around the world and discovering cultures they had never experienced before are among the memories that keep visitors returning to the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), with many describing the event as more than just a music festival.
For some, RWMF was an opportunity to experience Sarawak for the first time, while for others, it was the reason they returned to the state, drawn by its welcoming people, rich cultural heritage and one of Southeast Asia’s most distinctive music festivals.
Amanda Solomon, 29, from California, the United States, said this year’s visit marked her second trip to Sarawak after travelling here alone in 2024.
“I absolutely love Sarawak.
“The first time I came alone, and when I went home, I told my husband he had to come because this place is so much fun,” she said.
Amanda believes Sarawak deserves greater recognition among American travellers.
“I don’t hear many Americans talking about Sarawak, but I think it is a place more people should know about.
“That’s why I brought my husband with me this time,” she said.
She said one of the highlights of RWMF was watching people from different cultures celebrate together through music.
“I love seeing everyone dance, have fun and celebrate their own cultures.
“Sometimes we think cultures around the world are very different, but this festival shows that people can come together and connect even if they come from different continents,” she added.
Her husband, Dexter Murray, said attending the festival had given him a new appreciation of Sarawak’s multicultural society.
“We came to listen to music from different ethnic groups around the world, experience Malaysia’s diverse culture and learn more about the people here.
“This is my first time in Sarawak, although I have visited Sabah before,” he said.
Dexter said he was particularly impressed by how Sarawak’s different communities embraced one another’s traditions.
“Here I’ve seen Chinese musicians playing Dayak instruments and Malays performing Dayak dances.
“In the United States, cultures are often more separated within their own communities. I think that’s really interesting,” he said while adding that he hopes to return to Sarawak again, especially during the Gawai celebration.
Meanwhile, 35-year-old Aira Farisa from Shah Alam, Selangor, said RWMF remained one of the biggest reasons she continued returning to Sarawak.
“I really love Sarawak. It’s peaceful, the people are friendly, the air feels fresh and it’s wonderful for our mental wellbeing. The culture here is also very strong,” she said
She said she first discovered RWMF through Facebook before a friend who attended the festival in 2023 encouraged her to experience it herself.
According to Aira, the workshops, concerts and opportunities to experience Sarawak’s culture in one place made RWMF unlike any other festival.
“When it rains in the forest, you truly feel the rainforest atmosphere, which is a really fun and calming experience,” she said.
Her friend, Nur Irfanie, 40, said it was the memories from their previous visit that convinced them to return this year.
“The last time we came, we danced in the rain, sheltered together with other visitors, made many new friends and joined all sorts of activities. It was such a wonderful experience.”
This year, they arrived earlier to explore more of the festival grounds and participate in additional workshops and activities.
“We want to enjoy everything. Hopefully next year we’ll bring even more friends because this isn’t just an experience for international tourists. Malaysians should experience it too,” she said.
