Meet Rayyan Arkan Dikha, the 11-year-old Indonesian sensation whose boat-top dance has taken the internet by storm.
A video of Rayyan performing a stylish, rhythmic dance on the bow of a racing canoe has gone viral across social media platforms, making him an unexpected global star. His performance sparked the rise of the phrase “aura farming”, which is now being widely used in internet culture.
Social media users began remixing the video with different songs, celebrities chimed in, and creators worldwide tried to mimic his movements. His newfound fame even earned him the official title of Tourism Ambassador for Riau Province, and he was awarded a government scholarship in recognition of his cultural impact.
What Is “Aura Farming”?
According to Know Your Meme, “aura farming” became popular in 2024 as a term describing someone who repeatedly does something cool or stylish to project an aura or vibe — especially in the context of anime or Gen Alpha slang. Rayyan’s graceful and effortless moves made him the perfect embodiment of the term.
Rayyan’s dance isn’t just for show — it's part of Pacu Jalur, a centuries-old rowing competition where each boat includes a Tukang Tari (literally, “dancer”) who performs on the bow to boost team morale and energize the rowers. Rayyan has been a Tukang Tari since he was 9 years old and has now become the face of the tradition thanks to his viral fame.
Though Pacu Jalur takes place every August, Rayyan's clip found new life this year as it spread rapidly online. Celebrities like Travis Kelce, who compared his own dance moves to Rayyan’s, helped boost its reach. Kelce’s video alone racked up over 13 million views. Soccer star Diego Luna even used the dance as a goal celebration during a U.S. Men's National Team match against Guatemala.
The dance has been recreated by everyone from party teams like the Party Animals (a spinoff of the Savannah Bananas) to global brands and influencers like Steve Aoki, Adidas, AC Milan, and PSG.
Rayyan Arkan Dikha may just be 11, but his viral moves have connected centuries-old tradition with modern meme culture — all while putting Indonesia’s cultural heritage on the global map.
With Inputs from NYT
A video of Rayyan performing a stylish, rhythmic dance on the bow of a racing canoe has gone viral across social media platforms, making him an unexpected global star. His performance sparked the rise of the phrase “aura farming”, which is now being widely used in internet culture.
How Did He Go Viral?
The video, originally posted to TikTok in January by user Lensa Rams, shows Rayyan dancing at the front of a long traditional boat during Pacu Jalur, an annual rowing festival held in Riau, Indonesia. Rayyan’s calm demeanor, slick black outfit, and sunglasses — combined with his hypnotic, repetitive dance moves — captured the imagination of millions.Social media users began remixing the video with different songs, celebrities chimed in, and creators worldwide tried to mimic his movements. His newfound fame even earned him the official title of Tourism Ambassador for Riau Province, and he was awarded a government scholarship in recognition of his cultural impact.
What Is “Aura Farming”?
According to Know Your Meme, “aura farming” became popular in 2024 as a term describing someone who repeatedly does something cool or stylish to project an aura or vibe — especially in the context of anime or Gen Alpha slang. Rayyan’s graceful and effortless moves made him the perfect embodiment of the term.Why Is He Dancing on a Boat?
Rayyan’s dance isn’t just for show — it's part of Pacu Jalur, a centuries-old rowing competition where each boat includes a Tukang Tari (literally, “dancer”) who performs on the bow to boost team morale and energize the rowers. Rayyan has been a Tukang Tari since he was 9 years old and has now become the face of the tradition thanks to his viral fame.
From Local Hero to Global Meme
Though Pacu Jalur takes place every August, Rayyan's clip found new life this year as it spread rapidly online. Celebrities like Travis Kelce, who compared his own dance moves to Rayyan’s, helped boost its reach. Kelce’s video alone racked up over 13 million views. Soccer star Diego Luna even used the dance as a goal celebration during a U.S. Men's National Team match against Guatemala.
The dance has been recreated by everyone from party teams like the Party Animals (a spinoff of the Savannah Bananas) to global brands and influencers like Steve Aoki, Adidas, AC Milan, and PSG.
Rayyan Arkan Dikha may just be 11, but his viral moves have connected centuries-old tradition with modern meme culture — all while putting Indonesia’s cultural heritage on the global map.
With Inputs from NYT
