The viral “aura farming” boat dance spreading across social media features 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha from Indonesia.
Captured during the traditional Pacu Jalur race in Kuantan Singingi, the video shows Rayyan dancing at the bow of a raceboat while his team rows behind him.
The aura farming 😭 !!??? pic.twitter.com/OxI9jIuKEX
— ᴍʏʙᴡɪᴛꜱ (@mybwirgo) July 16, 2025
“I came up with the dance myself,” Rayyan said in an interview with BBC Indonesia. “It was just spontaneous.”
Rayyan serves as the “tukang tari” — a traditional role in the Pacu Jalur event — where a dancer stands at the front of the boat to energise the rowing crew. Though the performance appears smooth, the position comes with significant risks.
“The main concern is that he might fall,” said Rayyan’s mother, Rani Ridawati. “Sometimes if he falls accidentally or suddenly, I worry he might get hit by the paddles.” She added that Rayyan is a confident swimmer and that safety measures are in place during the event, including a nearby rescue team.
The upcoming Pacu Jalur race, scheduled for 20–24 August, is expected to attract larger audiences due to the attention Rayyan’s performance has brought. The festival, a significant cultural tradition in the region, now finds itself spotlighted by global social media users.
Celebrities have shared imitations of Rayyan’s dance, adding to the video’s momentum.
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