You may not know the name of Rayyan Arkan Dhika, but you have most certainly see him in action.
Dhika, a full-of-life 11-year-old from Indonesia, has turned into a social media sensation due to his lively dancing on a simple fishing boat.
His videos, mostly shot with Indonesia’s calm waters behind him, have touched folks all over the globe.
Dhika, a Class 5 student from a village in Kuantan Singingi Regency, was making his first appearance at the festival.
Videos show him standing at the prow of the moving race boat rowed by several adults. He can be seen blowing kisses to both sides and waving his arms while maintaining an expressionless face.
11-year-old pacu jalur boat kid Rayyan Arkan Dhika reacts to his internet stardom in an interview with the BBC:
“I came up with the dance myself. It was just spontaneous. Every time my friends see me, they say, ‘You’re viral.’” pic.twitter.com/qx36BGxpIn
— Indonesian Pop Base (@IndoPopBase) July 13, 2025
In another video, Rayyan Arkan Dhika extends one hand forward at chest height and sweeps the other beneath it, then rotates both fists in a wheel-like motion.
Reacting to his viral moment, Dhika, in an interview with the BBC, said, “I came up with the dance myself. It was just spontaneous. Every time my friends see me, they say, ‘You’re viral. ’”
Social Media Responds To Rayyan Arkan Dhika
“boy dancing on the front of a boat becomes Internet sensation, setting a global trend of “aura farming” recreated by famous athletes and thousands of others worldwide 🔥,” one person said.
boy dancing on the front of a boat becomes Internet sensation, setting a global trend of “aura farming” recreated by famous athletes and thousands of others worldwide 🔥 pic.twitter.com/o5a4RvpG3U
— Chief (@chiefflips) July 13, 2025
“11 years old and already achieved more cultural impact than half of LinkedIn. No marketing team. No strategy. Just vibes,” a second person stated.
11 years old and already achieved more cultural impact than half of LinkedIn.
No marketing team. No strategy. Just vibes.— Alex (@alexandarmilic) July 13, 2025
“Love seeing young talent just doing their thing and going viral. Reminds me that sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t overthink,” a third person added.
Love seeing young talent just doing their thing and going viral. Reminds me that sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t overthink.
— 305Shark (@CarlosCoronaJr) July 13, 2025
“I swear I’m doing this next time I’m on my boat! 🤣🤣,” a fourth person wrote.
I swear I’m doing this next time I’m on my boat! 🤣🤣
— Coffee and Grit (@CoffeeNGrit) July 13, 2025
“its crazy how easy you can go from nobody to to being famous on social media😭😭,” a fifth person commented about Rayyan Arkan Dhika.
its crazy how easy you can go from nobody to to being famous on social media😭😭
— TekPipp (@TekPipp) July 13, 2025
“Sometimes the most spontaneous moments create the biggest impact. His traditional outfit with modern shades is such a powerful cultural blend,” one final person added.
Sometimes the most spontaneous moments create the biggest impact. His traditional outfit with modern shades is such a powerful cultural blend.
— nftflair.eth 🍌🧪👾 (@nftflair) July 14, 2025
