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Aura farming is a term denoting the act of cultivating an appearance of effortless charisma or "coolness", often through repetitive, stylized actions. [1] [2] Popularized in 2024, the term became attached to a viral dance originated by Rayyan Arkan Dikha, an Indonesian boy, in 2025.
The expression "aura farming" was popularized in 2024, largely in reference to anime characters and various celebrities. It generally describes someone who does something repetitive to look cool and build "aura" – a Gen Alpha term synonymous with charisma or "rizz". [1]
A dance attached to the phrase was popularized by a viral video of an 11-year-old Indonesian boy, Rayyan Arkan Dikha, performing a rhythmic dance on the bow of a traditional racing boat during the Pacu Jalur festival in Riau, Indonesia. [3] [4] The Togak Luan (or Tukang Tari) is a child performer whose role is to hype the team and signal to spectators when the boat is leading. [5] The role requires significant balance, which is why children are often chosen over adults. [4]
In the video, Dikha, wearing a traditional Teluk Belanga outfit with a Malay Riau headcloth and sunglasses, performs a series of calm, repetitive dance moves to energize the rowers. [6] In interviews, Dikha stated that he created the dance spontaneously. [6] [7]
The video was first posted on TikTok and went viral in mid-2025. [8] [9] Social media users began remixing the clip with various songs under hashtags like "aura farming kid on boat," amassing millions of views. [6] According to The New York Times , the trend made Dikha "hard to miss on social media" in mid-2025. [1]
As a result of the video's popularity, Dikha was appointed as a cultural and tourism ambassador for Riau province by the local governor. [10] He and his mother were invited to the capital, Jakarta, to meet with the country's Ministers of Culture and Tourism. [10] He was also awarded a government scholarship. [11]
The dance became a global meme, imitated by international sports teams and celebrities, which amplified its viral spread. Notable recreations included: