Back in 1997, a Canadian musicologist named Randy Raine-Reusch visited Robert Basiuk, who was Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Tourism Board then.

- Randy Raine-Reusch[5]With the help of Jayl Langub from Majlis Adat Istiadat (Native Customary Laws Authority), two sape players, Asang Lawai and Tegit Usat were brought to Kuching from upper stretches of Balui River in Belaga and was join by Erang Lahang and Uchau Bilong.

Hardened European agents, managers and festival directors were brought to tears at the beauty and purity of their performance on the sape.

The members of Society Atelier Sarawak, and particularly its president Edric Ong, gave a lot of logistic support to the undertaking.

The Society Atelier Sarawak was to take the role of technical support in terms of the music and Randy was appointed as the main consultant for the event.

[4] By this time, the rest of Sarawak Tourism Board staff were being conscripted in to assist with the organization and running of the festival; behind-the-scenes roles they took on and have continued to fill until the present day.

The festival runs workshops (mini concerts) in the afternoon followed by evening performances held on the two main stages in the village.

Festival acts have included: Joey Ayala (Philippines, 1998), Shooglenifty (Scotland, 1999), Inka Marka (South America, 2000), Rajery (Madagascar, 2001), Black Umfolosi (Zimbabwe, 2002), Huun Huur Tu (Tuva), Cynthia Alexander (Philippines, 2003), Te Vaka (Samoa/New Zealand, 2004), Namgar (Mongolia, 2005), Shannon (Poland, 2005, 2007), Peatbog Faeries (Scotland, 2006), Tarika Be (Madagascar, 2007), Ross Daly (Greece, 2008) and Blackbeard's Tea Party (England, 2014).