Viral: Meet Rayyan Arkan Dhika, an 11-year-old Indonesian boy who became an overnight dancing sensation
Going viral on the internet has changed the lives of many. While some make the conscious decision of doing so by picking it up as a career, others hit the jackpot with their sheer luck and exemplary character (most of the time).
Case in point, an 11-year-old boy from Indonesia, Rayyan Arkan Dhika who is going viral on the internet for his interesting dance steps on a fishing boat.
Rather than picking a stage, Rayyan chose his immediate surroundings and something related to his life to carry on his love for dance attracting views and love from across the globe.
He turned a boat race into a stage for his "aura farming" dance, performed at the front of the fast-moving boat.
Donning a black traditional dress, cap and a stylish pair of shades, he has become famous for his uber cool persona and unique dancing steps.
Cue the creations of cuts, mixes and reels to commend Rayyan's talent and heart.
How did Rayyan become so popular?
Well, in January, Lensa Rams a TikTok user shared a video on the platform where Rayyan could be seen performing his dance at the front of a boat at the Pacu Jalur fest in Riau, a province in Indonesia. His video went so viral and impacted so many, that the local leaders made him the official Tourism Voice for the Riau Area and also awarded him with a school fund.
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The trend-setter of Aura Farming
Image credits: X
The phrase "aura-farming" became a trend in 2024, mostly among anime fans and the Gen Alpha group. It is used to refer to someone who does cool things, without trying too hard, effortlessly making a cool vibe around themselves.
However, Rayyan might be the true flagbearer of aura farming. The 11-year-old was not only dancing on a boat but performing a cultural role. He was the Tukang Tari, a key dancer on the front of the Pacu Jalur boat.
While 'Pacu' means race, 'Jalur' means long, thin boats and the rowing is a part of a rowing fest held annually every August in Indonesia, where the dancer's steps inspire the rowers to keep moving as they race down the river.
Rayyan started dancing on the boats at the young age of 9 and has been doing it ever since, combining traditional culture with modern enjoyment. When asked about his now-popular dance, Rayyan who is a fifth-grader from the town of Kuantan Singingi told BBC Indonesia that the steps came to be by chance.
"I came up with the dance myself. It was just spontaneous," he said.
A star overnight
Rayyan's steps have reached the lives of many through the doors of social media. NFL celebrity athlete Travis Kelce compared the young one's dance steps to his own whereas soccer player Diego Luna imitated the steps to celebrate a goal in a game against Guatemala. Additionally, top brands like Adidas, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Steve Aoki and others have also joined in his dancing wave.
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