FROM THE ISLE OF SKYE TO BORNEO – THE PEATBOG FAERIES AT THE RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2007    (中文)

Date: 27 June 2006
Written By: Yeoh Jun-Lin

Great whiskey is not the only thing to come out from Scotland.

They have bold and powerful musicians as well. 

Celtic music has been a great favourite at the Rainforest World Music Festival since Shooglenifty came over in 1999. 

This year, from the beautiful Isle of Skye, comes 6 men in kilts with bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, dumbec, and a rhythm section that will suitably fill the last slot of the Saturday night over the weekend of the 7th – 9th July. 

Scottish fusion with a hard edge will be the thing to expect from this band.  

Every year at the festival, there will be contrasting bands up on stage in the evenings. The shows start with the more spiritual and roots bands and gradually work its way up to the world beat music by the end of the night.  

This year will be no different. There will be a wide variety of acts to choose from. 

If you are looking for the very traditional groups, do not miss the colourful Chungmyung Art Troupe from Korea, or the regal Kyrgyzstan band Tengir Too. 

Kilema from Madagascar promises a lyrical set together with Egschiglen from Mongolia who will pepper their music with the amazing throat singing of the region and some of the most exotic instruments present this festival. 

Dance music will come from Calle Sur with an encompassing Latin American programme, as well as from Hotel Palindrone of Austria. Look out for the hurdy-gurdy and the nyckleharpa these multi-instrumentalists will be having. Of all the bands coming this year to the festival, this band is highest on the list for the numerous instruments they are bringing. 

Aynur will bring the exotic Middle-East melodies with her. She is one of the 3 bands who have a front line lady leading the band.  Nahawa Doumbia from Mali, Les Yeux Noirs from France and the Peatbog Faeries will be the 3 bands closing the shows on the respective three nights.  

Malaysian music will also be adding to the flavour of the festival. From Kuala Lumpur will come the Malaysian Dhol Federation with their loud bhangra drums. Look out for the Bollywood workshops they will be having over the afternoons of the festival. 

The Bidayuh tribal music of Sarawak is the focus for 2006 with Biringkeng Tua’an with lots of bamboo instruments, gongs and drums. 

And of course there will always be the symbol of the Rainforest World Music Festival present – Henry and Joseph from the Orang Ulu tribe will be opening the festival on the now easily recognizable sapes.  
The venue of the festival remains unchanged this year. It will be at the Sarawak Cultural Village in the Damai Peninsular.  

Tickets are priced at RM60 and RM30 for children aged 3 – 12 years. They are available at the Visitor Information Centres in Kuching, Miri and Sibu. Or check the website www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com for packages or travel agents or outlets and updates on the festival. More enquiries can be made by calling the Sarawak Tourism Board at 082-423600. 

The festival is run by the Sarawak Tourism Board with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia. They have on board with them, Malaysia Airlines who is Official Airlines 9th year running as well as fROOTS magazine as Media Sponsor. 

PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) awarded the Rainforest World Music Festival as the winner of the gold award 2006 in the Heritage and Culture category. PATA, the leading Bangkok-based travel industry, officially presented the award at the 55th annual conference in Pattaya, Thailand last April.

DIGI has come in as the official telco while supporting sponsors like Heineken and Water Genesis are also adding their weight to the festival.

Yeoh Jun-Lin
Artistic Director
Rainforest World Music Festival