🌊 "The Reaper": Indonesian Boat Dancing Kid Goes Viral and Captivates the World
Daily Radar | July 12, 2025 | Kuantan Singingi, Indonesia
From the tip of a long racing boat in rural Indonesia to the social media feeds of global sports stars, 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha has become an internet sensation, now known by fans as "The Reaper."
Wearing sunglasses and a traditional Teluk Belanga outfit, the fifth-grade student is the face of a viral dance that blends tradition with modern-day "aura farming" — a term used online to describe the cultivation of charisma, or what Gen Z calls "rizz."
📲 Aura Farming on a Boat
The moment that catapulted Rayyan into internet stardom was a Pacu Jalur boat race in his village in Kuantan Singingi Regency, where he debuted as a Togak Luan — the ceremonial dancer perched at the tip of the boat, responsible for motivating the adult rowing crew.
With remarkable balance and swag, Rayyan choreographed spontaneous moves: blowing kisses, rolling his fists in the air, and extending his arms in dramatic, fluid poses — all while remaining virtually expressionless.
"I came up with the dance myself," he told BBC Indonesia. "It was just spontaneous."
Millions watched. Memes exploded. And soon, the dance became a global trend.
🌍 From TikTok to Travis Kelce
Rayyan’s moves went viral under hashtags like #AuraFarmingKidOnBoat and #BoatRaceKidAura, inspiring countless recreations on TikTok. His nickname, “The Reaper,” stems from a popular comment: "He's known as 'the reaper' because he never loses."
Celebrities joined in. On July 1, Paris Saint-Germain players attempted the dance, captioning their TikTok: “His aura made it all the way to Paris.” The video racked up over 7 million views.
The next day, NFL star Travis Kelce posted his version — which now boasts more than 14 million views.
Even Formula 1 driver Alex Albon tried his hand at the moves, further solidifying Rayyan’s place as 2025’s most charismatic child star.
🎖️ A Cultural and Physical Feat
Indonesia’s Minister of Culture Fadli Zon praised Rayyan’s skill:
“Dancing at the tip of the boat is not easy. Perhaps that’s why children are chosen — because they can maintain balance better than adults.”
Rayyan’s mother, Rani Ridawati, shares that while the performance is thrilling, it also comes with risk.
“The main concern is that he might fall... but there's a rescue team in place.”
Still, she says her son is a confident swimmer and passionate about his role.
As Rayyan continues to dazzle the world with his boat-top performances, the viral dance remains a symbol of joy, pride, and cultural identity — and of course, an unbeatable aura.