World Harvest Festival is back at Sarawak Cultural Village

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KUCHING: The World Harvest Festival 2012 (WHF 2012) is back this year from May 26-27 at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).

The festival, held in conjunction with Gawai, is an ethnic festival that is one of the highlights of the Gawai Dayak celebrations.

Now in its 8th year, WHF is not only synonymous with the festivities of the Dayaks, but has come to encompass other ethnic groups in Sarawak as well as the tourists, to help reflect the true Malaysian spirit of the people.

The WHF was established in line with Ministry of Tourism Sarawak (MOT) objective to position an international event on its tourism calendar.

The WHF provides the opportunity for the non-Dayaks to understand the cultures, traditions and aspirations of the Dayak community, all within the event.

The amount of the awareness and interest created by this festival brings benefit both the public sector and the tourism industry.

Among the many highlights of the WHF cultural event is the theme play held on May 26.

Last year, it was based on the Bidayuh legend ‘Selanting Kuning & The Dragon King’ and this year it will be on the Iban legend called ‘The Adventures of Keling & Kumang’.

What is unique about this theme play is that the whole village becomes the stage, and the entire play promises to overwhelm the guests in audio and visual splendour.

Another highlight of the festival is the ethnic beauty pageant ‘Miss World Harvest Festival 2012’.

The theme of this beauty pageant revolves around the Iban community.

This year fifteen beauties will vie for the coveted title.

This ethnic beauty pageant has never failed to add colour and vibrancy to the festival.

Last year’s winner of the ethnic beauty pageant was Suljirina Lucas, a 27 year-old Berawan lass.

As always the Harvest Festival or Gawai is celebrated on a grander scale with the participation of cultural troupes from other countries.

This is evident in the International Cultural Concert, with daytime workshops.

This year our friends from Indonesia and Selangor will be joining the festivities.

A series of joint workshop by the locals and the invited troupes will be held during the 2 days festival.

This is the ideal time for visitors to learn about each community’s traditions, foods and handicrafts.

For those who want to prove their manly prowess, there is the Ironman WHF 2012 competition.

This is another highlight of the festival that involves 15 finalists who will exhibit their ‘superhuman’ strength in tackling traditional based activities like blowpipe shooting, coconut dehusking, 50kg gunny rice lifting, wood chopping and mountain climbing.

Last year, Amir Hanafi emerged as the champion.

The WHF promises to be a fun-filled event for the young and old.

Bring along your loved ones and make this an affair to remember.

What awaits you is a cultural extravaganza like no other.

Tickets are on sale at the Sarawak Cultural Village.

For more enquiries or booking, please contact SCV at 082-848 108 or 846 411.