Social media has once again worked its magic, turning a local cultural moment into a global phenomenon—this time spotlighting an 11-year-old Indonesian boy named Rayyan Arkan Dikha, affectionately known as Dika. A video of Dika leading his team during the traditional Pacu Jalur boat race in Kuantan Singingi went viral after his captivating movements at the tip of a long wooden boat caught the attention of netizens worldwide. Dressed in a sleek black traditional outfit with sunglasses, Dika’s calm expression and commanding gestures sparked a wave of admiration, inspiring remakes, memes, and tributes from celebrities and sports icons including Travis Kelce, F1’s Alex Albon, and players from Paris Saint-Germain.
According to BBC Indonesia, Dika didn’t choreograph his performance—it was all instinctive. As the Togak Luan, his role is to stand at the front of the racing boat to energize and lead the rowers with expressive movements, all while maintaining perfect balance. His performance, full of sweeping arms, rotating fists, and forward stances, was delivered with unwavering focus.
The Pacu Jalur festival is one of Riau’s most important cultural celebrations, held annually along the Batang Kuantan River and featuring traditional longboat races, music, performances, and exhibitions. Dika’s viral moment not only brought global attention to the festival, but also highlighted the vibrancy of Indonesian heritage. Despite his newfound fame, Dika has remained grounded, saying he’s simply happy that people across the world are enjoying his dance.
In recognition of his cultural impact, the Governor of Riau recently named him a cultural ambassador—proof that even a single, unplanned moment can ripple far beyond the riverbanks of Kuantan.
