(From right) Awang Tengah and Abdul Karim, seated with other dignitaries during the Serumpun Sarawak event in Osaka, Japan.
KUCHING (Aug 10): ‘Serumpun Sarawak’ has made its international debut with a four-day cultural and gastronomic showcase at Seaside Studio CASO in Osaka.
This marks the first overseas chapter of the Serumpun Sarawak movement, a cultural gastronomy initiative that blends ancestral wisdom with modern storytelling and sensory innovation.
Hosted by the state Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the event drew dignitaries and guests from both Malaysia and Japan, celebrating Sarawak’s rich indigenous heritage on a global stage.
Among those present at the event on Friday were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and State Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Also in attendance were State Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and other notable dignitaries.
“Serumpun Sarawak represents more than a cultural showcase – it is an affirmation of who we are as Sarawakians,” said Abdul Karim in a statement issued by STB.
“By bringing our stories, our flavours, and our indigenous wisdom to Japan, we are building bridges of understanding and appreciation that go beyond tourism.
“This is how we share Sarawak with the world: through genuine connections that celebrate diversity while deepening respect for our shared humanity.”
At the heart of the programme was a seven-course degustation dinner curated by Chef James Won.
Each course was inspired by the flavours, philosophies, and food knowledge of Sarawak’s 34 diverse indigenous communities.
Using ingredients foraged from Sarawak’s forests and rooted in ancestral fermentation techniques, the culinary showcase was not just a meal; it was a narrative in motion.
Courses were presented with evolving soundscapes, visuals, and contextual storytelling, immersing guests in a journey of Sarawak’s edible heritage.
“Serumpun Sarawak in Osaka is not just about Sarawakian cuisine, it is about reintroducing our culture to the world through meaningful exchange,” said STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor.
“It shows how our rainforest, our heritage, and our people can inspire a global journey that transcends borders. This is Sarawak’s soft power at its most authentic.”
The experience was further deepened by Prof Gerard Bodeker, who narrated the courses through the lens of traditional medicine, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of rainforest ingredients.
A defining moment of the evening was the premiere of ‘Ilun Kuai’, the official anthem of Serumpun Sarawak.
The piece was co-created and performed by Zee Avi, Adrian Jo Milang (The Tuyang Initiative), Raja Farouk, Yuswa Ansari, and the Atlas Collective, with original lyrics by Aren Lirai and Rose Belare.
As the ‘Sunrise of Sarawak’ ritual unfolded, the music anchored guests in a powerful atmosphere of reflection and renewal, calling them to reconnect with the values of rootedness, resilience, and reverence for nature.
Through multi-sensory experiences, live performances, and curated conversations, Serumpun Sarawak bridged the traditional and contemporary.
The next chapter of Serumpun Sarawak will unfold in Mulu, home to Sarawak’s Unesco World Heritage Site. This finale will bring the journey full circle – returning to the forests, rivers, and communities that first inspired the movement.
For more information on Serumpun Sarawak and upcoming chapters, go to website serumpunsarawak.com, and follow @serumpunsarawak and @sarawaktravel on Instagram for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes stories.
AloJapan.com