BLACK UMFOLOSI- THE RWMF CROWD ALL TIME FAVOURITE
By Corporate Affairs, Sarawak Tourism Board

They had performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) stage in 2002 and 2004. And on both occasions, they brought the house down with their warrior-like energetic dance movement and harmonies a capella singing.

This year the Black Umfolosi will be back for another round of exciting show together with 19 other bands that had been invited to perform at RWMF 10th anniversary celebration to be showcase at the Sarawak Cultural Village this coming July 13 to 15.

Comprising of Thomeki Dube, John Munzabwa, Zenzo Hiaseka, Sotsha Moyo and Alec Ncube, the Black Umfolosi was formed by chance in 1982 by a group of students from a school in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.  What started out as gathering of fun by the students who sang traditional songs one night, became a huge success after they were noticed for their flair and talent.

Named after the Umfolosi River that flowed through Natal provinces where their ancestors originated before they migrated to Matebeleland, the band is now known for their harmonious a capella singing known as mbube. They performed traditional songs as well as their own composition which are mostly based on their daily experience of love, problems and tragedies as well as traditional proverbs which were once used to encourage warriors to win battles.

While singing, the band will perform the ingquzu dance- an energetic and synchronize foot-work, clapping and shouts that will definitely attract the crowd to dance to their beat.

While they entertain, the Black Umfolosi also has another mission- to preserve their cultures which they proudly showcased to the world. Their preservation efforts include setting up foundation and training programmes in schools, youth groups, prison, hospital and community centres in Zimbabwe.

Besides Black Umfolosi, the other groups performing at the RWMF include Inka Marka from Peru, Shooglenifty (Scotland), Aseana Percussion Unit (Kuala Lumpur), Huun Huur Tu and Malerji (Tuva and Russia), Khac Chi (Vietnam), Ensemble Kaboul (Afghanistan), Shannon (Poland), Foghorn Stringband (USA), Tarika Be (Madagascar), Tammora (Italy) Mas Y Mas (UK), Doghouse Skiffle Band (UK), Mah Meri (Kuala Lumpur), Fadi and the Band (Syria) and the maestro of world music Randy Raine Reusch (Canada).

To share that glorious moments are also Sarawak’s very own groups like Anak A’dik Rurum, Jerry Kamit, Taboh Pak Ainal and Kelapang Kelabit Bamboo Band.

Together, the bands are expected to give all their best both during the workshop sessions and the night concerts. 

The RWMF had enjoyed a steady increased in the crowd turn-up for the event each year since its inception in 1998 and this year, the organizer Sarawak Tourism Board is targeting at attracting 24,000 festival goers.

Ticketcharge Sdn Bhd had been entrusted to handle the ticket sales on its website www.ticketcharge.com.my.  Tickets are priced at RM80 per day for adult and RM40 per day for children between six and 12 years old. A three-day pass is priced at RM200 for adult and RM100 for a three-day pass for children between six and 12 years old.

RWMF had also won the PATA Gold Award 2006 under the Heritage and Culture category.

This event also has the support of the Tourism Ministry of Malaysia and Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism Malaysia.  Tourism Malaysia’s support came in a big way as the RWMF had been listed as one of the top 50 Malaysian events under the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign.

Update on RWMF is also available online at www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.