Although I had planned to return much sooner, somehow a decade slipped by before I finally reunited this year with Sarawak’s Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF 2025). Ten years ago, I shyly shuffled through the festival grounds wide-eyed, inspired by the music, the culture, the art, and the fascinating people. Imagine my surprise to find that it’s even cooler now than it was back then!
I’ve always been drawn to places and cultures different from my own, not out of novelty, but out of genuine curiosity. As a longtime fan of unique music and cultural festivals, revisiting this iconic celebration in Kuching wasn’t just nostalgic, it was re-inspiring. RWMF isn’t just a music festival, it highlights what makes Sarawak so multi-layered by combining music, culture, and nature. And it does it really well!
Rainforest World Music Festival: Jungle Roots to Global Reach
Sarawak is Malaysia’s largest state and home to 34 ethnic groups, each with its own customs, music, and food. It’s also known for its cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and some of the oldest rainforests in the world. Covering more than 120,000 square kilometers, Sarawak’s terrain includes mountains, limestone caves, rivers, highlands, and quiet coastal beaches.
Festivals are a regular part of life here. According to the Sarawak Tourism Board, over 250 tourism-related events are scheduled across the state for 2025, a packed calendar that goes far beyond just a handful of headliner events. More than half of those events are also culture related, which says a lot about Sarawak. Sarawakians are proud of their culture and heritage and very eager to share it with the world.
A Little RWMF History
The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) started in 1998. During a visit to Sarawak, Canadian musicologist Randy Raine-Reusch saw an opportunity to create something different, a festival that would bring traditional music from around the world into the heart of the Bornean rainforest. In partnership with the Sarawak Tourism Board, he co-founded the festival to celebrate cultural diversity and Sarawak’s indigenous heritage.
The festival is held at Sarawak Cultural Village, next to Gunung Santubong (mountain) just outside of Kuching. Surrounded by rainforest and traditional longhouses, the location quickly became central to the festival’s identity.
From the beginning, RWMF set itself apart, because it wasn’t just about stage performances. Daytime workshops and jam sessions gave artists and audiences a chance to mix-n-mingle, exchange ideas, and collaborate in informal settings. The festival created a space for preserving traditional music, promoting cultural dialogue, and giving a platform to musicians, both local and international, who are often overlooked in mainstream circuits.
What started as a small gathering has now grown into one of Asia’s most recognized world music festivals. Twenty-eight editions later, RWMF impressively continues to draw thousands of attendees from across the globe, while staying committed to its original values of diversity, inclusion, and environmental respect.
It’s also worth noting that RWMF is the fourth-oldest major festival in Sarawak. That longevity matters. Many events launch with high expectations, only to fade out under pressure to scale-up or turn a quick profit. RWMF has lasted because it was built on purpose and passion, not short-term hype. That’s a big part of what gives this festival its staying power.
What’s Changed (And What Hasn’t)
Coming back after 10 years, I found the festival bigger, better organized, and definitely more eco-minded. This year’s theme was “Connections: One Earth, One Love,” focusing on how music can bring people together, support the environment, and promote meaningful travel. And I think they pulled that off quite nicely.
I’m not a music critic, and I won’t pretend to know the technical details. But I can tell you that RWMF still feels like one of the most emotionally honest festivals I’ve ever attended. My initial concept of world music has always been traditional instruments and traditional soundtracks, but that has changed with my return to the Rainforest World Music Festival.
The musicians who attended this year’s festival were not afraid to bare their souls onstage or off. I wasn’t front and center for every show, but the music found its way to me anyway. Even without actively seeking various bands out, I found myself pulled in to the kaleidoscope of sound drifting across the festival grounds throughout the days and into the nights.
This year’s festival featured an impressive 170 performers from 20 different countries, highlighting a strong mix of international and Malaysian talent. Among the international acts were Kuntaw Mindanao from the Philippines, Rob Ruha from New Zealand, Kulāiwi from Hawaii, La Chiva Gantiva, a Columbian-Belgian band from Brussels, Manhu from China, and the UK’s N’famady Kouyaté.
Malaysian performers included Buloh Berkocak, Dee Jay, Matthew Ngau’s Wind & Earth, Meruked, and Naungan, each contributing sounds rooted in local traditions.
Musical highlights included performances by Siberia’s Otyken, The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay from the USA, my home country, and Sarawak’s own At Adau, whose closing set wowed the crowd with cultural pride.
Music Can Indeed Bring People Together
Reportedly over 22,000 people attended this year’s RWMF and I can believe that. The festival grounds are so expansive that the crowds often feel dispersed, giving the illusion of low attendance. But trust me, when it’s time for a more popular workshop or much anticipated band to show up, people will flood in within a blink of an eye. Here’s a tip: if you want to be front and center to the action, show up early.
With more families and attendees of all ages showing up, it was also proof how the festival has grown into a more multi-generational event. It’s not just a young hipster event, although there was no shortage of them.
And of course, these days, with everyone acting as a ‘content creator,’ I saw plenty of people (of all ages) documenting their festival experiences with their smartphones. I even saw one older gentleman live-streaming The Earth, Wind, and Fire Experience by Al McKay from his lounge chair. Seriously, just look up #RWMF2025 and you will see just how many people came to the festival this year. The takeaway? Everyone had a great time, myself included.
Clean and Green
Impressive efforts were made to reduce the environmental impact of RWMF2025, including solar-powered lighting, waste separation bins, BYOB refill stations, educational exhibits at the Green Ruai area, and even composting. “Reduce, reuse, recycle” was clearly front and center.
That eco-conscious mindset extended beyond the festival, too. I noticed it throughout my stay in Sarawak. In fact, it was one of the first things that struck me when I arrived, for the first time in ten years: it’s incredibly clean. The streets, back alleys, and even the riverbanks near more remote villages were noticeably cleaner than in many other places I’ve visited in the region.
Workshops and Beyond at RWMF 2025
While I didn’t manage to catch as many workshops as I’d hoped due to my media schedule, I still enjoyed popping in whenever I could. Exploring the festival village is definitely a big part of the RWMF experience. I especially enjoyed browsing the stalls selling ethnic clothing and beaded crafts. Vendors were offering everything from batik shirts and handmade jewelry to organic tuak (rice wine). I even picked up an official RWMF 2025 T-shirt and a signature reusable water bottle.
And of course, I can’t forget the food! My American taste buds led me straight to Chubbs for a much-anticipated Alabama Burger, which also happened to be where I ran into Tim Owens and Claude Woods of The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay!
That’s a Wrap
As you can see, RWMF isn’t just about what happens on stage, it’s about everything that happens around the music, too. Exploring the Sarawak Cultural Village itself is part of the adventure.
The Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 once again showed how music, culture, and sustainability can go hand in hand. The 28th edition wrapped up another successful event, and organizers are already planning for 2026. They’ve confirmed that next year’s festival will take place from June 26 to 28, 2026. I’ll definitely be there, and I hope you will be too!
Tips for First-Timers
If Sarawak is on your travel bucket list, do consider planning your trip around Kuching’s annual Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF). It could be the icing on your travel cake. This event is truly not to be missed, even if you’re not necessarily a big fan of live music or crowds. As mentioned earlier, this festival is much more than just music. It’s an eye-opening cultural experience that stretches beyond the shores of Malaysia and Borneo.
In fact, there is no wrong way to experience RWMF. The festival grounds is your oyster to try new foods, learn about traditional crafts, try your hand (and feet) at traditional dancing, or simply enjoy the music and the vibe. Indeed, something for everyone.
What to Bring
While booking your tickets and accommodation early is smart, what you wear and bring can make or break your festival comfort. If you’re planning to stay from day into night, pack light, but practical.
*Day pack: Keep your hands free and your essentials close.
*Refillable water bottle: Stay hydrated in the tropical heat.
*Cash or cashless options: Bring ample cash or use local e-wallet options like GrabPay or Touch’n Go.
*Waterproof tarp or mat: Small light weight waterproof tarp for sitting on the ground. Community seats are available but they are limited outside the stage areas.
*Rain poncho: A cheap, lightweight one will save you during sudden rainforest downpours.
*Comfortable shoes: Flat, easy-on/easy-off footwear is ideal.
*Light, breathable clothing: Keep clothing simple, light and durable: forget fashion, the festival grounds can get very hot and muggy; loose fitting pants and shirts are your friend. You might also want to be mindful of the diverse crowds.
*Small flashlight: Helpful if you’re staying until late evening.
**A note to smokers: Designated smoking areas are provided, but only unopened packs of cigarettes are allowed inside. Security will hold any open packs for pickup when you leave.
Thank You to the Sarawak Tourism Board
The Rainforest World Music Festival wouldn’t be what it is without the heart and hard work of the Sarawak Tourism Board and the festival’s many generous sponsors and supporters. Their commitment to keeping culture alive and doing tourism the right way has shaped this event into something truly meaningful. Thanks to their thoughtful approach, Sarawak has become a place that welcomes the world while staying true to its roots.
For more information about Visiting Sarawak or the Rainforest World Music Festival,
contact the Sarawak Tourism Board
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