North Borneo Rainforest Festival
Join us for the North Borneo Rainforest Festival 2023!
Embrace the heart of Sabah's rich culture and environmental consciousness at the North Borneo Rainforest Festival (NBRF), an annual community-driven event that started in 2019. Our focus goes beyond mere celebration; we're committed to fostering a creative and innovative culture in the tourism sector, nurturing skilled human capital and promoting environmental awareness.
Event highlights
Artisan Market and Food
Explore the creations of local artisans and immerse yourself in Sabah's vibrant culture through a variety of stalls.
There will also be a wide variety of food to enjoy on site (with over 30 food stalls).
Waste Management Awareness Art Installation
This year, NBRF serves as a platform to raise awareness on waste management. Witness the transformation of ghost nets into captivating art installations that address the pressing issue of marine life entanglement and reef damage in Sabah.
Don't forget to bring your own reusable items, let's practice the zero-waste initiative.
Exhibitions, Talks and Workshops (from 1pm)
Engage with exhibitors representing NGOs, activists, government agencies and enthusiasts from various fields - arts, culture, conservation, environment, science, sports and more. What sets the NBRF apart is the passion of our local exhibitors, who will share their expertise through talks, forums and workshops.
Family-friendly Fun
NBRF has always been about bringing families together to learn and have fun. This year, NBRF2023 introduces the Kids' Interactive Tent. Discover the wonders of Tanjung Aru Marine Eco System (TAME) and experience captivating storytelling from Mei Mei. Also, let your imagination run wild with face painting.
Live Performances (7pm - 11pm)
As the sun sets, the stage comes alive with an eclectic mix of musical genres. Since the inaugural North Borneo Rainforest Festival, we've welcomed music lovers of all kinds.
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a celebration that goes beyond entertainment - it's a commitment to our environment, culture and community. Join us at NBRF 2023 for two days of discovery, connection and celebration!
Tickets
- RM2 (13 years and above, Malaysian and Non-Malaysian)
- Free (Children under 12, Adults over 65, Disabled persons)
Artist Line-up
Saturday 16 December 2023
Aniqist
Aniqist, a poet-singer, has been enchanting audiences with her soulful performances since 2018. Apart from being a captivating performer, she is also an accomplished writer, having released her debut book, 'Interaksi ke Cakerawala'. Aniqist is set to unveil her upcoming book 'Cermin', she will bring this unreleased masterpiece to life through a special performance accompanied by a team of exceptionally skilled musicians.
Sabah Sekafi Movement Junior
This group of children aged between 7 and 17 years old have been actively practising since July 2023. They are young apprentices under the JKKN Sabah Cultural Art Apprenticeship Programme which aims to preserve the national treasures through the next generation so that our art and culture will not die out with time. Let's support these talented children!
Sanod Sundatang
Discover Sanod Sundatang, a dynamic ethnic acoustic duo featuring the exceptional talents of Roger Wang and Jun. Celebrated as Malaysia's leading solo acoustic guitarist with nine acclaimed albums to his name, Roger Wang brings a contemporary touch to the Sundatang revival. He is joined by the highly skilled Jun, a Tawau-born musician known for his sought-after guitar skills and impressive track record of producing and composing for renowned artists. Together, they promise a compelling fusion of tradition and modernity!
Wiri Wiri
Meet Wiri-wiri, the Folk Jazz duo hailing from Keningau, Sabah, comprising Rolland and Joy. Infusing the Dusun language into their melodies, Wiri-wiri's music spins a rhythmic tale, gently inspiring with the whistling winds of creativity as they craft new works that echo the essence of Borneo Sabah.
Sekolah Indonesia Kota Kinabalu
The talented young dancers from Sekolah Indonesia Kota Kinabalu will perform the Hinting Pali Dance. This captivating performance is a new dance creation based on the fertility rituals of the people of West Kalimantan. The movements in this expressive dance are agile and firm, using coconut leaves as props.
Mutras
Meet Mutras (an acronym for Sabah Traditional Music) where traditional musicians come together. Their new concept, 'Drums Of Sabah', harmoniously blends percussion instruments from Sabah's various ethnic tribes. The resulting rhythmic symphony echoes the unity found in the collective beats of Sabah's ethnic groups, a powerful testament to harmony through traditional music.
Rapot Sanggong
Rapot Sanggong is a musical ensemble where 'Rapot' means diversity and 'Sanggong' means beauty. This group masterfully blends traditional Sabah instruments such as gong, sundatang, urali, sompoton, tontog/gendang, uruding and kulintangan with modern musical elements to create a captivating fusion of sounds. Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of Rungus ethnic songs and poems as Rapot Sanggong invites you to experience their latest folk tunes - a rhythmic journey that is sure to set the stage for a dance-filled experience. Get ready to groove!
Diandra Joan
Sabah's charming talent Diandra Joan Justine will be onstage. Born and raised in Kota Kinabalu, Diandra's mesmerising voice has been captivating audiences since the age of 15. A familiar name in the local entertainment scene, she started her singing career in 2008 and is set to reach even greater heights. Don't miss your chance to experience Diandra's musical magic!
Sunday 17 December 2023
The Symphony Of Be My Eyes And Ears
The Symphony of Be My Eyes and Ears aims to promote and preserve cultural heritage through artistic expression. This mesmerising blend of poetry, illustration, visuals and music features the soulful verses of poet and singer Aniqist. Working with an exceptionally talented team of musicians, including a drummer, sape' player and guitarist, their performances unfold as a captivating cultural journey.
Tree'es
Tree'es is an experimental rock band born in the vibrant city of Kota Kinabalu in 2018. Their musical journey is a fusion of sound and art, and with plans to release a new album in 2024, Tree'es is poised to carve out a unique space in the realm of experimental rock. Let's roll!
Kawiswara
Kawiswara is a musical force from Kota Kinabalu, recognised as a pioneer in Sabah's local mainstream music scene since the 90s. This band has made a resounding comeback, gracing Kota Kinabalu with their local tunes at various events from BTOB to government programmes and even as energetic street performers. With an unwavering commitment, Kawiswara's mission is to strengthen and promote the current and future success of local music.
Orkes IBNSHWL
The IBNSHWL Orchestra consists of 5 musicians (guitar, bass, drums, violin, flute), they bring a folk genre music inspired by Iksan Skuter, Iwan Fals, Syarikat Idola Rejama, Jon Kastella, Payung Teduh. They will release their first single in January 2024.
Kumpulan Budayawan
Kumpulan Budayawan is one of the largest group of professional artists in Kota Kinabalu focusing on traditional arts and entertainment. They specialise in cultural traditional dance, modern dance, creative dance, theatre, traditional live music using kulintangan, gong and gendang. One of their amazing shows is the Fire Dance!
Suara Buluh Perindu
The members of Suara Buluh Perindu started playing music at a young age, between the ages of 6 and 7. Originally from Kundasang, Ranau, Sabah, they grew up with various traditional musical instruments and the sound of the payuki flute, which inspired the group. Accompanied by the harmony of sompoton instruments, bamboo kulintangon bamboo, bamboo drums, bamboo bass, all made from raw materials of the environment in the windy state of Sabah. The harmony of sound of this music is unique and always amazes the listeners.
Tompuvan
Embark on a musical odyssey with Tompuvan, a 7-piece band that serves as a cultural mosaic of Borneo's diverse tribes. Each member proudly represents different indigenous communities including the Iban, Rungus, Sungai, Kagayan, Tidung and Bajau. Tompuvan seamlessly blends traditional and modern instruments from Borneo, offering a harmonious fusion of sape/sakafi, tungkungon, kulintangan, bamboo flute, sompoton, drums, percussion, saxophone, electric and bass guitar, bamboo rainstick and more.
Tuni Sundatang
Meet Tuni Sundatang, a vibrant collective of young enthusiasts from the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in Ranau. United by a shared passion for preserving nearly extinct traditional customs and village cultures, they embarked on their musical journey in 2021. Composed of researchers, sundatang boatlute makers and musicians, Tuni Sundatang weaves captivating stories through instrumental tracks that showcase the richness of local customs, traditions and culture. Immerse yourself in the unique sounds of their traditional music and join them in celebrating the essence of their heritage.
Isobahtos
Isobahtos is a new hip hop group consisting of 10 members from Sabah with a vision to carry, dignify and represent elements of cultural arts and traditional heritage of Bornean society through their music in the industry.
DJ Alveen
DJ Alveen is a Malaysian prodigy who immersed himself in the world of turntables at the age of 14 and was spinning his first tracks by the time he was 16. Hailing from the northern tip of Borneo, his musical journey spans genres from trance to tech, Dutch to progressive, trap to hardstyle, and future to psychedelic. With over a decade of experience, Alveen is a versatile DJ, mastering everything from bigroom to electro and delivering heart-pounding performances worldwide - from the Philippines to Japan and of course his beloved home state of Sabah.
Organiser of this event
How to get to this event?
The Jungle Skatepark
Jalan Kompleks Sukan, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.