Festival offers platform for Orang Asli and Orang Asal cultural expression
KUALA LUMPUR: The Indigenous Rhythms Festival 2025 makes its return to dazzle audiences with the rich and diverse heritage of Malaysian indigenous communities from today to Dec 14 at Berjaya Times Square.
The festival brings together the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia and the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak, offering a platform for cultural expression through traditional performances, live music, craft exhibitions, workshops and a curated ethnic artisan bazaar.
The three-day event, supported by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, aims to raise awareness, foster appreciation and promote the preservation of indigenous knowledge, customs and creative expressions among Malaysians and international visitors.
It is the brainchild of Yayasan Kesenian Orang Asli & Asal founder, the late Datuk Antony Ratos.
For decades, he organised exhibitions, cultural showcases and rural health camps to preserve and uplift Malaysia’s indigenous heritage.
Antony established the foundation in 2002 with a vision to elevate the livelihoods of Malaysia’s indigenous community through the preservation and celebration of their culture.
The foundation protects, promotes and revitalises indigenous identity via cultural programmes, traditional arts, music, education and community-driven initiatives.
Visitors at the festival would experience batik painting, necklace beading, headgear weaving, traditional food wrapping techniques and a variety of cultural showcases from Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
The festival runs from 10am to 10pm daily, with free admission.
In line with its mission to promote unity and cultural harmony, foundation chairman Dr Andre Ratos highlighted the deeper meaning behind the event.
“Our indigenous peoples are living symbols of Malaysia’s unity in diversity. Their cultures are threads that bind us as one nation. By celebrating them, we are appeciating the true spirit of Malaysia.”
The event will also be attended by several distinguished national figures, including Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye as guest of honour, Persatuan Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia chairman Senator Datuk Ajis Sitin, Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad former CEO Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah and senior representatives from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
Their presence underscores the national significance of the festival in advancing indigenous cultural preservation and community empowerment.
Programme highlights and real-time updates are available at the Yayasan Kesenian Orang Asli & Asal Facebook page and Instagram at @ykoa.malaysia.
