Borneo Cultural Festival 2009

The annual Borneo Cultural Festival, this year themed "Beauty in Ethnic Diversity" in conjunction with Najib's One Malaysia (I think) ended yesterday with many dance performance from every race, culture, religion, singing from local artists and also a special performance by artists from Semenanjung Malaysia and also from the New Zealand visitors whom will also be performing at the Rainforest Concert soon. Its a great cultural event which also educates others of the local and ethnic cultures on the Island of Borneo and also to bring in tourism to the state of Sarawak.

No offence but in my opinion, Sarawak was and still is one of the states in Malaysia who truly practices racial equality and freedom of religion and all the virtues which makes Malaysia, Malaysia. Like seriously, there are no news of tearing down of churches and temples in Sarawak but enough about that. Back to the festival.

Well, its the same every year. Food Bazzaar, make shift "Fun-Fair", exhibitions and also the cultural performance. What is different this year is the performances. The rest... Well, its the same as usual.

Colourful drinks.. Anyone wants a glass?


Ermm.. its not going fast, its photography trickery. HAHA... No la. Dark environment and blinking lights created this effect.

Well, I won't say my pictures are any good because I am still learning about night photography and some how most of the pictures turned out blur or like the one below because the artists moves alot. I seriously need a better camera and a flash to go with it. Anyone wants to sponsor?

Well, this performer was moving too much and thus the effect.



There were Chinese Dancers...



Hiphop dancers... Okay, there were not that good but the pictures captured them looking good.. But to me, the picture is still too blur.. But what to do?


There were ethnic singers meaning, Bidayuh singers, Iban singers, Melanau and etc.


And there was this guy who loved Sibu so much, he remixed some of the tradisional songs and changed the lyrics to incorporate how the Foo Chows love their Kampua and Kompia. Quite funny and entertaining.


And lets not forget the wonderful performance (including the band music) by Sarawak's ground forces who fused the Native warrior dance, the "Ngajat", Silat (the Malay Martial arts), and army moved into their routine.


At the end of the show, a soldier suddenly ran up and held a rifle and pointing into the air while others got into formation.


To protect and serve our native lands.

Being a "Loyal" citizen, I walked off and decided to take pictures of the scenes and noises around the Bazaar when our "dearly beloved" politicians gave their "interesting" speeches... And guess what... It lasted a good hour.....

There were seas of people that it made it hard to walk around and stop to take photos. Hawkers were so happy because business was so good that its so hard to even order food from them.

An hour later.......

I was back stage side snapping pictures....

Thanks to the local authorities and RELA, they allowed me to move from the crowd and in front of the barriers to take photos of the performances. Thanks to the outlooks of my Fuji S9500. HAHA... Yes yes.. My big beauty is back to help me snap photos but because night shots and no flash or tripod available and the shows were full of movement... The photos didn't turn out to be what I wanted.. But at least some turned out okay...






The many ethnic dances and performances really gathered the crowd. An hour after the shows restarted, the M.C. announced that according to the authorities, there were an estimated of 50000 people turning up for the finale. Thats like almost half of the town. I am not sure if it is true, but that was what was announced. So, not bad of a turn out for BCF 2009. Congratulations to the local Municipal Counsil, though in some ways, I still think you suck.


The scene behind me... 50000 people....


We had the Iban dancers ...



Chinese Ribbon dance....


A Malay Singer frm Semenanjung Malaysia...


A Band playing Wonderful Native American type of Music...


Then Bidayuh...


Then a Fusion between Malay and Hip Hop Routine...

Besides the local performers, we had New Zealand guest performers telling us about thier native lands and their culture. Here are some shots of the guests.

They even invited 3 people to perform with them.


And besides their Fierce Maori faces, they can sing very well.


Here is a short video of the performance they did.. First one is Hawaii, second is somewhere. I forgotten the name and the dance is called Killing Mosquitoes... Last one is Maori of New Zealand.

Oh yea, there were fireworks but I decided to go home before everyone does to stay away from the jam. HAHA.

Well, thats all from me. If you are interested to visit Sarawak, July is the best time because there is the Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu, Rainforent Concert in Kuching and the Jazz festival in Miri. Well, that all from me, a chinese in the Borneo Island who loves his state very much...