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WORLD
HARVEST
Festival
2012
26 th - 27 th May • Sarawak Cultural Village
Tourism – Events
Extravaganza
The World Harvest Festival
2012 (WHF) 2012, an ethnic
festival is one of the highlights
of the Gawai Dayak celebrations. In its
8th year, WHF is not only synonymous
with the festivities of the Dayak,
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. Ideally
organised at the Sarawak Cultural
Village (SCV) from 26 th to 27 th May
2012, it also helps to bring both locals
and foreigners together to experience
the true Sarawak culture.
The WHF was introduced in line
with Ministry of Tourism Sarawak’s
(MOT) objective to position it as an
international event on its tourism
calendar. The WHF provides the
opportunity for the non–Dayak to
understand the cultures, traditions and
aspirations of the Dayak community.
The awareness and interest created by
the festival promises to benefit both the
public sector and tourism industry.
Among the many highlights of the
WHF cultural event is the theme play
held on May 26th, 2012. “Selanting
Kuning & The Dragon King”, based
on the Bidayuh legend was featured
last year and this year it will be on the
Iban legend entitled “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 to capture the
festival and mood of the guests is the
ethnic beauty pageant “Miss World
Harvest Festival 2012”. This beauty
pageant revolves around the Iban
community theme. Fifteen beauties will
vie for the coveted title this year, which
never fails to add colour and vibrancy
to the festival. The proud winner last
year was Miss Suljirina Lucas, a 27
years 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 Extravaganza,
with day time 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
www.whf.com.my
2 days festival. This is the ideal time
for the visitors to have the opportunity
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 in the festival that
involves 15 finalists who exhibit
‘superhuman’ strength in tackling
the traditional based activities
like blowpipe shooting, coconut
dehusking, 50kg gunny rice lifting,
wood chopping and mountain
climbing. Last year, Encik Amir Hanafi
emerged as the champion.
The WHF promises to be the 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 for
RM60.00 per person (non-residents)
and RM30.00 (local residents) at the
Sarawak Cultural Village.
Tickets are on sale at the
Sarawak Cultural Village.
For more inquiry or booking,
please contact Sarawak
Cultural Village (SCV) at
+6082-846 108, 846 411
Apr-Jun2012BorneoTalk | 37