Rayyan Arkan Dikha: How this kid made the world row to his rhythm

A traditional Indonesian boat race rarely finds itself in the forefront of global pop culture. But thanks to one effortlessly cool kid with killer balance and even better moves, Pacu Jalur — a 17th-century boat festival from the province of Riau — is having its most viral moment ever.

At the heart of Pacu Jalur is a long, canoe-like boat, powered by up to 11 adult rowers. But all eyes are often on the smallest member on board — the Togak Luan, or Anak Joi — a child performer who stands at the prow of the boat. Their job? Hype up the team and electrify the crowd. Think of them as a cross between a cheerleader and a vibe manager.

And no one’s doing that better right now than Rayyan Arkan Dikha, an 11-year-old from Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau. Rayyan, dressed in a traditional Teluk Belanga outfit and headcloth, made his debut at the national Pacu Jalur race, quickly becoming an overnight internet sensation.

A video of him dancing on the boat, stone-faced behind his sunglasses, arms slicing the air in slow-motion swag — was posted online in late June. Since then, it’s been viewed millions of times, sparking a trend that’s now gone fully global. The internet crowned him “The Reaper” — because apparently, he never loses.

“I came up with the dance myself. It was just spontaneous,” Rayyan told BBC Indonesia. And that spontaneity? It’s now fuelling a worldwide wave of what the internet calls “aura farming”—Gen Z’s shorthand for being effortlessly charismatic (also known as having “rizz”).

His moves, rolling fists like wheels and striking yoga-like arm poses, are now being imitated everywhere. Regular fans on TikTok are imitating his moves, as are some of the world's top athletes and entertainers.

The aura ripple effect

Rayyan’s dance has become the benchmark of cool, with sports teams and celebs jumping on the trend.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PS.Daily (@ps.daily.channel)

Travis Kelce, American footballer, was seen mimicking Rayyan’s moves, jokingly comparing his dance game.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emi (@emi_vroom)

Alex Albon, Formula 1 driver, joined in with his version.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FOOTBALL CULTURE (@football7culture)

Players from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dropped a TikTok clip captioned: “His aura made it all the way to Paris.”

KSI, the YouTuber and entertainer, posted his take, adding more viral fuel.

These shoutouts have further amplified Rayyan’s stardom and also put Riau’s cultural traditions firmly in the global spotlight.

In recognition of his role in promoting local heritage, Rayyan has now been appointed the tourism ambassador for Riau province. The title was conferred by the governor himself, along with a scholarship to support his education — a fitting reward for the boy who brought centuries-old tradition to the For You Page.

And while the memeification of a cultural event can sometimes lead to oversimplification, this moment feels different. It’s not just about going viral. Rayyan’s performance is a blend of heritage, rhythm, and raw authenticity — and it’s drawing people in not just to copy the moves, but to learn where they come from.

From rural rivers in Sumatra to football fields in Paris, Formula 1 circuits, and NFL locker rooms, a cultural tradition has travelled across time zones and languages—powered not by algorithms but by a kid with sunglasses, a boat, and unapologetic swagger.