Viral Boat Boy: How Aura Farming Made an 11-Year-Old a Star
11-year-old Rayyan from Indonesia became a global star after his calm boat dance, called ‘Aura Farming,’ went viral during a traditional river race.
A cute and exciting story from Indonesia is winning hearts around the world! An 11-year-old boy named Rayyan Arkan Dikha from Riau, Indonesia, has become famous globally after his dance video went viral.
It all happened during a traditional boat race called Pacu Jalur, which happens every August since the 1600s. The boat race is a big celebration where people pray for safety, show unity, and enjoy the river culture.
In these races, every boat carries around 50 rowers and one special person called the Tukang Tari or Penari Jalur (boat dancer), who dances on the boat to motivate the team and entertain people. Rayyan has been doing this since he was just 9 years old!
This year, during a race, someone recorded Rayyan dancing calmly while the boat moved fast. He wore black traditional clothes, sunglasses, and looked very cool and peaceful.
The video was posted on TikTok by @lensarams, and in July 2025, it became viral. People named it ‘Aura Farming’ because it looked like Rayyan was collecting positive energy just by staying calm and confident.
After this, many famous people like footballers, racers, and DJs copied his style, including NFL star Travis Kelce, DJ Steve Aoki, and MotoGP champion Marc Marquez. Soon, it became a fun global trend.
Rayyan lives in a small village called Teluk Aur. His friends call him “Si Maut” (The Reaper) because of his fearless look while dancing. But in real life, he is simple and humble. Rayyan says, “I dance so my team doesn’t lose spirit.”
After his video became famous, even the Indonesian Tourism Minister called him and made him the Tourism Ambassador of Riau. He got a ?1.1 lakh scholarship and was invited to meet big leaders in the capital, Jakarta.
People love him because of his natural confidence and calm attitude. Many said he looked like a hero from movies or anime.
Rayyan will perform again in August 2025, and his fans are still posting Aura Farming videos. The Riau government also plans to use this fame to show their culture to the world.
From a small river in Indonesia to global stardom — Rayyan’s story shows that confidence and culture can touch the whole world!
Have you tried Aura Farming? Let us know in the comments.
