By Wan Azfarozza
Photos by Serena Loh
I’ve always loved music, but not the kind that blares from giant speakers at mainstream festivals like Coachella. No shade to Cardi B or Megan Thee Stallion—but sometimes, all I hear is noise. I long for something different. Something that grounds me. Something that makes my spine tingle, like the spirits of my ancestors are dancing with me in the rhythm.
This year, I found that “something” at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 in Kuching, Sarawak—and honestly, I’ve never felt more connected to music, nature, and humanity.
Am I a bit late to write about the festival? Maybe. It ended two weeks ago—but I wanted to let it linger, to simmer in my memory. Some stories are worth telling late, just so the magic lasts a little longer.
Welcome to the Jungle (Literally)
As I stepped into the Sarawak Cultural Village, nestled at the base of Mount Santubong, I immediately felt the energy shift. The towering rainforest canopy, the earthy scent of rain-soaked wood, the hum of distant gongs—all of it wrapped me in a vibe I hadn’t experienced before.
This wasn’t just a music festival. It was a spiritual reunion with the Earth.
I wandered past rows of colorful tents set up by local and international artisans. As someone obsessed with unique finds, I was in my element. There were handcrafted bead accessories, bronze and copper jewelry, and even health teas made from midin leaves, a local fern used in traditional Sarawakian dishes. I scored a stunning and indigenous bronze necklace. Let’s just say… my suitcase came back heavier.
A Feast for the Soul (and Stomach)
If there’s one thing that Sarawak knows how to do right (besides music), it’s food. The Feast Festival section was bursting with local delicacies.
There was ayam pansuh—tender chicken slow-cooked in bamboo and itun sip, a leafy wrap for rice that tasted like comfort on a plate. Dessert? Oh yes.
There was also gelato made with Dabai nut, a rich fruit found only in this part of the world. But the star of the show? A pineapple black pepper sorbet that exploded with flavor and melted like magic on a hot Sarawak afternoon. Pure bliss.
Music That Moves the Soul
Night fell, and the jungle came alive. The music didn’t just play—it called out to us. Yodeling, chants, traditional drums, and bamboo flutes blended with modern rhythms to create something electric, raw, and ancient all at once. Everyone danced—not in a performative, Instagram-ready way—but in a way that felt human.
At the main stage, with Mount Santubong watching over us, I felt it: the unity, the celebration, the deep connection to Earth. This wasn’t just entertainment—it was a ritual.
My favorite moment? Otyken, a folk-pop band from Siberia, took the stage. Their performance was primal, hypnotic, and absolutely unforgettable. It was like being transported to another time, another land—but still rooted in the same heartbeat of the Earth.
This year’s theme, “Connections: One Earth, One Love”, couldn’t have been more fitting.
The Rainforest World Music Festival isn’t just a weekend getaway—it’s a reset button for the soul. Next year promises new sounds, new faces, and new ways to reconnect with what truly matters.
So if you’re craving something deeper than commercial hits and neon outfits—something grounded, meaningful, and unforgettable—maybe it’s time to find your rhythm in the rainforest.
See you in 2026.
