Malaysian culture in

PERFORMERS from the Sarawak Cultural Village in Malaysia will be appearing at the inaugural Spirit of the Planet Festival Dubbo this weekend.

From Friday, November 30, to Sunday, December 2, the Dubbo Showground will host visitors from around the world, representing some of the oldest human cultures.

Sarawak Cultural Village is based at the foot of a towering crag in Malaysia, called Mount Santubong.

It is a 17-acre site which contains dwellings representing the diverse communities and traditional lifestyles.

“The village is often involved in events; members of the dancing troupe are regularly sent to overseas tours to promote Sarawak’s culture and even serious documentaries of Sarawak’s ethnic people,” spokesperson for the group Jaini Bin Zaindudin said.

The group has won numerous awards including best cultural and historical destination and attraction and best native experience at The Best of Malaysia Awards.

“Sarawak Cultural Village promotes various traditional activities including traditional dance and music, handicraft making by skilled crafts people and many more,” Mr Zaindudin said.

The group has toured the world including to Canada, Europe, China, elsewhere in Australia and now Dubbo.

“The Spirit of the Planet Festival in Dubbo is important as it a platform that provides the opportunity for the non-indigenous people to understand the culture, traditions and aspirations of the indigenous communities with a wider perspective,” Mr Zaindudin said.

“It’s about preservation and conservation of the Indigenous people of the world and to promote the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous people with other communities globally.”

He also supports the strategic positioning of the Spirit of the Planet Festival as a regional-best organised festival making Dubbo a very attractive holiday destination

Spirit of the Planet Festival, Dubbo

z Dubbo Showground

z Friday, November 30: 4.30pm to 11.30pm

z Saturday, December 1: 10.30am to 11.30pm

z Sunday, December 2: 10am to 3pm

z Entry: Free. Refreshments available inside venue