An 11-year-old, Rayyan Arkan Dikha, dancing on the tip of a racing boat, gave the internet the ultimate display of nonchalance, or as the internet calls it, 'aura farming.' Here's all you need to know.
If you've been scrolling through social media lately, chances are you've come across the same video again and again where a boy in sunglasses, standing at the tip of a racing boat, is dancing with the kind of confidence and charm that is hard to look away from. The boat cuts swiftly through the water while the boy, calm and composed, does a dance that seems almost too cool to replicate.
The boy in the viral video is 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha, a fifth-grader from a village in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Indonesia. What you’re watching is actually part of his performance during his debut at the national Pacu Jalur boat race. "Pacu" means race, and "Jalur" refers to the long canoe-like boats traditional to the region. Rayyan plays a very special role called the Togak Luan, as he’s the dancer positioned at the front of the boat, tasked with energising the adult crew who row behind him. He moves with steady rhythm, minimal expression, and a kind of grace that feels both ancient and incredibly now. And just like that, what began as a cultural performance has quickly turned into one of the most talked-about visuals on the internet.
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What is aura farming, though?
Rayyan's video is widely seen as the ultimate example of what's now being called "aura farming," which is a term used online to describe people who radiate effortless charm or confidence, often without saying a word. It is their ability to hold attention by simply existing in a moment. In Rayyan’s case, it’s the sunglasses, the still face, the traditional attire, and the poised yet playful dance moves, all while standing on the edge of a racing boat. There’s no attempt to go viral, no self-awareness in his performance, just a natural, unbothered energy that viewers can’t get enough of.
It wasn’t long before people across the internet began recreating the moment in their own style. Some made slow-motion edits, others mimicked the moves exactly, and a few even dressed up in similar outfits. It all turned into a global trend, with the phrase "aura farming" gaining attention everywhere.
What does this viral moment say about the internet's trend culture?
The way most random, nonchalant moments are becoming the centre of online conversations proves one thing. The internet is no longer driven only by perfectly polished content. In fact, the raw, unfiltered, and seemingly effortless clips are often the ones that stop people mid-scroll. A kid dancing on the edge of a boat, without flashy transitions or curated backdrops, ends up leading to more engagement than probably a scripted reel. It is a reminder that what truly connects is presence, not production.
Social media, at its core, thrives on aspiration. Whether we openly admit it or not, almost everyone, in some way, is trying to appear a little happier, a little cooler, and definitely more unbothered than they might actually feel on most days. While we’ve seen numerous conversations about authenticity and being real online, the truth is that there is still a carefully maintained performance behind most posts. But every now and then, an unexpectedly viral video like Rayyan’s boat dance reminds us how refreshing it is to see someone being completely themselves without any trace of overthinking. When that nonchalant energy comes through, it not only feels genuine but also becomes strangely satisfying to watch.
The growing conversation around aura farming taps into exactly that. It is a reminder that people can always sense when you are putting on a vibe versus when you are being genuine. With platforms seeing an overflow of efforts, it turns out the real flex is looking like you did not try at all.
What are your thoughts on the viral video? Tell us in the comments below!
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