Nabil Luqman

0f9d2dd4f71434084e2b6094de1865e23abb37bb9f28ca51feeabee679ec9be2

Social

social media

viral

tiktok

government

Indonesia

backlash

tradition

claims

aura farming

Pacu Jalur

If you're someone who frequently scrolls through social media, chances are you've stumbled upon a trend called &ldquo;Aura Farming&rdquo; &mdash; a mesmerising online phenomenon where individuals dance or strike poses at the front of speeding boats. At the heart of this trend is 11-year-old Indonesian boy Rayyan Arkan Dikha, fondly known as Dika, whose boat-top dances have launched him into viral stardom across the globe.
But beyond the dazzling visuals and celebrity imitations, the viral trend has ignited an unexpected cultural row, with Indonesian officials firmly rejecting claims, allegedly from Malaysian netizens, that the traditional boat race known as pacu jalur originated in Malaysia.
What is Pacu Jalur and Why It Matters?
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/8e869a214ed2378343439bf57481e2e3b37d3a23ac7a28453dd39e5b9c19f39a" />
Pacu jalur is more than just a boat race &mdash; it is a centuries-old cultural tradition rooted in the district of Kuantan Singingi, Riau, in central Sumatra. The name itself comes from the Malay word menjulur, meaning "to stretch or extend," referencing the long wooden boats, often elaborately decorated, used in the event.
Dating as far back as the 17th century &mdash; and formally recorded since at least the 1890s &mdash; the tradition initially served as a festive competition during Islamic celebrations. Under Dutch colonial rule, it became a fixture in events like the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina. Today, pacu jalur is held annually in the lead-up to Indonesia&rsquo;s Independence Day and is considered both a sporting event and a cultural spectacle that draws massive crowds and national attention.
In 2014, Indonesia&rsquo;s Ministry of Education and Culture officially recognised pacu jalur as a Warisan Budaya Takbenda (Intangible Cultural Heritage), solidifying its status as a national treasure.
From River Rituals to Internet Fame
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/eb00ce07d8f5d109c6082cb08bf65eaff8a2c314836ee2e52b217463a4a8ddf1" />
The modern revival of pacu jalur gained massive online momentum last month after videos of young Dika fearlessly dancing on the tip of a moving jalur boat went viral. Nicknamed "The Reaper" by netizens for his daring yet graceful movements, Dika's performance struck a chord not just in Indonesia, but internationally.
The viral sensation quickly caught on. IndyCar racer Robert Shwartzman mimicked the pose, French football team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) shared a celebratory video featuring players Neymar and Bradley Barcola doing the dance, and even British YouTuber KSI, Thai-British F1 Driver Alex Albon and American golf star and 2x major champion Bryson DeChambeau jumped on the trend.
This global interest has elevated the tradition to an unprecedented level of visibility, with the hashtag #AuraFarming drawing millions of views and spawning fan tributes, memes, and media features across platforms.
Here&rsquo;s some of the video edits online:
<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@robertshwartzman/video/7523601959920700694" data-video-id="7523601959920700694">
<section><a title="@robertshwartzman" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@robertshwartzman?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@robertshwartzman</a> Aura farming 😎 <a title="aurafarm" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/aurafarm?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#aurafarm</a> <a title="robertshwartzman" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/robertshwartzman?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#robertshwartzman</a> <a title="indycar" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/indycar?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#indycar</a> <a title="aura" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/aura?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#aura</a> <a title="♬ original sound - 𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7458831105029147397?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - 𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜</a></section>
</blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@psg/video/7522080480452267286" data-video-id="7522080480452267286">
<section><a title="@psg" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@psg?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@psg</a> His aura made it all the way to Paris 🇫🇷✨ <a title="psg" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/psg?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#psg</a> <a title="indonesia" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/indonesia?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#indonesia</a> <a title="aurafarming" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/aurafarming?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#aurafarming</a> <a title="♬ original sound - 𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7458831105029147397?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - 𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜</a></section>
</blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@sidemen/video/7522100240271297814" data-video-id="7522100240271297814">
<section><a title="@sidemen" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sidemen?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@sidemen</a> @KSI aura farming 😮&zwj;💨 <a title="sidemen" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sidemen?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#sidemen</a> <a title="ksi" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ksi?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#ksi</a> <a title="aurafarming" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/aurafarming?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#aurafarming</a> <a title="♬ Young Black &amp; Rich - Melly Mike" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Young-Black-Rich-7370712348132804625?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ Young Black &amp; Rich - Melly Mike</a></section>
</blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@alex_albon/video/7524700716464737568" data-video-id="7524700716464737568">
<section><a title="@alex_albon" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@alex_albon?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@alex_albon</a> Always at 1000% accuracy <a title="indonesianboatracing" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/indonesianboatracing?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#indonesianboatracing</a> <a title="♬ Young Black &amp; Rich - Melly Mike" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Young-Black-Rich-7370712348132804625?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ Young Black &amp; Rich - Melly Mike</a></section>
</blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@brysondechambeau/video/7522572775291161911" data-video-id="7522572775291161911">
<section><a title="@brysondechambeau" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@brysondechambeau?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@brysondechambeau</a> Highlight of my life&hellip; <a title="fyp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fyp</a> <a title="golf" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/golf?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#golf</a> <a title="♬ original sound - brainrot.com1" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7521017688399891222?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - brainrot.com1</a></section>
</blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

Claims of Malaysian Origin Stir Online Backlash 
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/88704f46443837d661aee34e3899c7381690292fe63a90d07511907d91478466" />
Amid the euphoria, tension quietly simmered when a few alleged Malaysian accounts began commenting under the viral videos, claiming that pacu jalur originated in Malaysia. The remarks ignited a strong backlash among Indonesian netizens, who swiftly condemned the perceived cultural appropriation. The issue snowballed into national headlines after prominent Indonesian news outlets and public figures weighed in.
Riau Governor Abdul Wahid responded to the controversy by urging calm, stating that cultural exchange between neighbouring nations like Malaysia and Indonesia is natural due to shared roots. However, he firmly reiterated that the tradition of pacu jalur is historically and culturally linked to Kuantan Singingi, not Malaysia.
&ldquo;Cultural assimilation is inevitable, but look at the facts and reality &mdash; pacu jalur has long existed in Riau. It's not a recent phenomenon,&rdquo; he told Detik. Wahid also confirmed that Dika has been appointed as Riau&rsquo;s tourism ambassador for his role in bringing global attention to the tradition.
Were the Claims Really From Malaysians?
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/ac1f18f9f604bae0ec6d345596dae11e1f528077bf3b7f06794b21339da28aa4" />
Interestingly, further investigation suggests that the original comments claiming Malaysian origin might not have come from Malaysians at all. A TikTok user reviewed the profiles responsible for the claims and discovered that they were registered under Indonesian locations, raising questions about whether false flag accounts or misunderstood comments fueled the controversy.
Malaysian outlet Murai.my clarified that while a pacu jalur-inspired event was once held in Perlis, it was never marketed as a native Malaysian tradition. Instead, the event served to introduce Malaysians to regional cultures &mdash; especially in northern states with strong ties to Sumatra &mdash; and was never recognised as part of Malaysia&rsquo;s official cultural heritage.
The site also warned readers about the volatile nature of online discourse, pointing out that even a single offhand remark can spiral into a full-blown cultural dispute in today&rsquo;s social media landscape, especially when it involves the long-standing sensitivities between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Calls for Accuracy Amid Shared Histories
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/2aff8cbe42e16986c387a97cc81a93c31d9c1eaa2c6d6ecb70716da88f1edd85" />
Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon has reaffirmed pacu jalur&rsquo;s heritage status, while Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka joined the trend in solidarity by posting his own rendition of Dika&rsquo;s dance. Local officials, including Riau&rsquo;s tourism director and Kuantan Singingi cultural leaders, have also stressed that historical records, rituals, and practices tied to the event all point to its deep Indonesian origins.
Roni Rakhmat, head of Riau's Tourism Department, dismissed the Malaysian origin claims as baseless: &ldquo;There are long-standing rituals, ceremonies, and a deep cultural process behind it. The historical documentation is clear &mdash; this is Riau&rsquo;s heritage.&rdquo;
Ultimately, while the trend has sparked joy and cultural curiosity, it has also become a reminder of how digital virality can blur national boundaries and historical context, often with unintended consequences.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments. 
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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Who knew a kid dancing on a boat could cause such a stir?

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Who knew a kid dancing on a boat could cause such a stir?

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