Indonesian child’s viral fame draws tourists to boat race

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Rayyan Arkan Dikha, an 11-year-old boy who went viral for his calm dance on the bow of a traditional longboat, performing during the Pacu Jalur longboat race festival.

PHOTO: AFP

PEKANBARU, Indonesia - Armed with colourful oars, rowers pack into long boats in western Indonesia, paddling furiously in front of race crowds swelled by the viral success of a young boy famous for his dancing at the front of the traditional vessels.

The annual Pacu Jalur race on Sumatra island culminates on Aug 24, with officials estimating as many as 100,000 more spectators in 2025 because of 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha’s dance moves on the fast-moving boats.

“I came to watch Pacu Jalur because I wanted to film and show the festival to the world,” Australian tourist Duncan McNaught told AFP. “I think the guys who row are crazy. They’re awesome. I’m just looking forward to it.”

A 20-second clip of Rayyan dancing on the boat has racked up millions of views on social media.

Sports stars including Formula One’s Alex Albon and MotoGP’s Marc Marquez imitated his moves in their own videos, swirling their hands then swinging their arms back and forth.

The viral dance craze has drawn visitors from across the country and world to the Kuantan River in Sumatra’s Riau province.

Indonesian national Yuyun Kurnia, 38, travelled from the Sumatran city of Medan, a 17-hour drive away, to watch Pacu Jalur after learning about it online.

“After it went viral on social media, I want to see Pacu