KUCHING: Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) is presently hosting annual festival ‘Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival (SHFF)’. It is co-organised with The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak (MTACYS) with the aim to position itself as an international community event on Sarawak tourism calendar.
Previously known as ‘World Harvest Festival (WHF)’, SCV has re-branded its annual festival to ‘Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival (SHFF)’ as a prelude to the statewide Gawai Dayak Festival celebrations and an opportunity for the non-Dayak communities to understand the culture, traditions and aspirations of the Sarawak Dayak communities.
Thus, it is an ideal place for the people of different backgrounds to meet, discuss and compare notes on traditional cultures through the exchange of ideas, portrayal of dances, music, arts and crafts. These will enable the people who participate in the festival to discover something new of other cultures and at the same time appreciate their own cultural heritage.
As many ethnic groups in the world are involved in padi planting and thus paddy harvesting, their traditional cultures are closely related to the land and agriculture. It is fruitful that these ethnic groups should understand such cultures and compare notes among themselves.
SHFF 2018 will take place at SCV from 27 till 29 April with vibrant and exciting highlights to be held throughout the 3-day-event, including performances or other items at night too.
One of the highlights is a musical drama entitled ‘Rentap ~ The Untold Story’ based on the legendary Iban warrior, in scenes enlivened with theatrical effects in an outdoor natural setting fronting a lake. The play will evolve on the young Rentap before he became the famous warrior.This theme play will be staged on the 28 April (today, Saturday) at SCV.
Meanwhile, fourteen finalists of ‘Ethnic Beauty Pageant Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2018’ will be presenting their talents, grace and beauty in colourful traditional Iban costumes and accessories. The grand finale shall be held on 29 April (Sunday). Another contest Miss Talent CHF 2018 was scheduled to be held yesterday (27 April). This year’s SHFF will also feature Sape’ World Concert and workshop.
“We are pleased to share this harvest festival with Sape players and musicians from Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, France, The Philippines, Sabah together with Sarawak renowned Sape players in Sape concert which will be held on 28th April 2018 at Theatre of Sarawak Cultural Village.
This concert will feature Sape traditional and fusion music by international musicians as well as Sape’ workshop at day time,” said the spokesperson through a press statement yesterday. Tribal Ironman Challenge competition will put the 15 finalists through various tasks to test their skills and strength such as lifting gunny sacks weighing around 50 kg, climbing Mount Santubong, blowpipe shooting, coconut de-husking with bare hands and other competitive activities throughout the three-day festival. For food enthusiasts, there will be a Sarawak Kitchen Food-Culinary Competition which is open to any nationalities.
This also gives our visitors an opportunity to try out some interesting indigenous food of Sarawak and participate in the cooking competition throughout the 3-day event, added the statement. Another highlight is the ‘Ngabang session’ on the nights of 28 and 29 April. There will be band performances by local groups and Gawai rituals at the Iban longhouse. Local food and drinks will be served to the guests during the ‘Ngabang session’.
It is hoped that many people from all walks of life will enjoy the festival as it promises a glimpse of history, a taste of tradition and certainly a sight of internationally awarded performances for everyone. So come to the Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival 2018 at the Sarawak Cultural Village on this 27 – 29 April. Entrance tickets are on sale at the Sarawak Cultural Village at RM60.00 each for adults and RM30.00 each for children.
You can also buy the ticket online at www.scv.com.my For more information and booking requirements, please contact Grace at 082-826108/411; fax at 082-846988; email at scv4you@gmail.com, surf the official website www.sarawakharvestfest. com and Facebook page Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival.
