Brown Jaga Brown Festival: embracing Malay culture and identity

Brown Jaga Brown Festival will take over Applecart Arts, uniting communities and celebrating the richness of Malay heritage in the UK.

Image: Nuclear.Instruments

The Brown Jaga Brown Festival is a one-week venue takeover at Applecart Arts, with a mission to inspire and empower the Malay diaspora in the UK. This festival aims to explore the essence of Malay identity and celebrate its unique cultural heritage shared by people from diverse regions. The festival aims to explore the question, "What is Malay?" while celebrating the unique ethnic and cultural identity shared by Malays from different regions.

This July, the festival will feature intergenerational workshops led by Malay creatives, including drama, Batik (a traditional Malay craft), Silat (traditional Malay martial arts) taster sessions, and learning Jawi, the reading and writing system of the Malay language. Attendees can also enjoy the film screening of Bujang Lapok from the legendary P. Ramlee, known for his significant contributions to Malay entertainment. Furthermore, the festival will host Sembang Santai, a networking session for the Malay diaspora, accompanied by a free chicken satay feast to create a sense of home and comfort.

Image: Maryam Noorhimli

Alongside the workshops and screenings, the festival will also feature live performances, from Open Mic Sessions to the theatre production of Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi? (Who Took My Malay Away?). This performance artfully weaves visuals with a thought-provoking exploration of Malay culture and colonial history, challenging perceptions of what it means to be 'Singaporean' and 'Malay-Muslim.' The festival invites people of all backgrounds, whether familiar or unfamiliar with Singapore and its culture, to join and learn.

Image: Brown Jaga Brown

Khai & Faizal, the brains behind the festival, set it up to share their culture and heritage as Muslims, Malays, and Singaporeans living in London. They are dedicated to sharing their culture with the wider community and warmly welcome everyone to experience the vibrant Brown Jaga Brown Festival at Applecart Arts. Click here for full programme line-up. 

Date: 24-29 July 2023. Location: Applecart Arts,The Passmore Edwards Library, 207 Plashet Grove, London E6 1BX. Price: The festival embraces the Pay If you Can policy, promoting openness and inclusivity by offering free registration and understanding financial limitations that some attendees might face. Website: applecartarts.com