{{Short description|2025 internet trend}} {{Tone|date=September 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}} '''Aura farming''' is a colloquialism denoting the act of cultivating an appearance of effortless charisma, i.e. "coolness", often through repetitive actions to that end. Popularized in 2024, the term soon became associated with a viral dance originated by '''Rayyan Arkan Dikha''', a boy from Indonesia.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Brian |date=14 August 2025 |title=How an 11-Year-Old Indonesian Dancer Became a Global Meme |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/style/aura-farming-indonesia-boat-kid.html |access-date=29 September 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 August 2025 |title=From a boat in Indonesia to trolleys in Hong Kong, 'aura farming' is everywhere |url=https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3321096/what-aura-farming-gen-zs-viral-obsession-looking-coo |first=Sumnima |last=Kandangwal |access-date=28 September 2025 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
== Origins == The expression "aura farming" was popularized in 2024, largely in reference to anime characters and various celebrities. It generally describes someone who does something repetitive to look "cool" and build "aura" – a slang term synonymous with charisma or "rizz", although the latter has romantic connotations that are not shared by "aura".<ref name="NYT" />
== 2025 dance video == thumb|alt=Pacu_Jalur|In a Pacu Jalur race, boats have a child at the front who performs a dance when the team is leading
A dance attached to the phrase was popularized by a viral video of an 11-year-old Indonesian boy, Rayyan Arkan Dikha, performing a rhythmic dance on the bow of a traditional racing boat during the ''Pacu Jalur'' festival in Riau, Indonesia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simangunsong |first=Stu Woo and Tonggo |date=18 August 2025 |title=How an 11-Year-Old Boy on a Boat Became a Source of National Pride—and Envy |url=https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/indonesian-boat-kid-dance-ac0447f3 |access-date=28 September 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="CNA">{{cite web |title=Meet the Indonesian boy, 11, who has become world-famous for his 'aura farming' boat race dance |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-pacu-jalur-aura-farming-riau-boy-dance-5308951 |access-date=29 September 2025 |website=Channel News Asia}}</ref> The ''Togak Luan'' (or ''Tukang Tari'') is a child performer whose role is to hype the team and signal to spectators when the boat is leading.<ref name="ABC">{{cite web |date=15 August 2025 |title=The 'aura farming' boy danced for tradition, then the internet turned it into a trend and a trap |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/aura-farming-boat-kid-draws-global-attention-and-online-scam/105641912 |access-date=29 September 2025 |website=ABC News}}</ref> The role requires significant balance, which is why children are often chosen over adults.<ref name="CNA" />
In the video, Dikha, wearing a traditional ''Teluk Belanga'' outfit with a Malay Riau headcloth and sunglasses, performs a series of calm, repetitive dance moves to energize the rowers.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |title='I created it myself': The boy behind the viral 'aura farming' boat racing dance |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxe7ey59r0o |access-date=29 September 2025 |website=BBC News |date=11 July 2025 }}</ref> In interviews, Dikha stated that he created the dance spontaneously.<ref name="BBC"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=After the aura farming boy went viral, the online scams started |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/aura-farming-boat-kid-draws-global-attention-and-online-scam/105641912 |access-date=28 September 2025 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
The video was first posted on TikTok and went viral in mid-2025.<ref name="WSJ">{{cite news |last1=Maheshwari |first1=Sapna |date=22 August 2025 |title=How an 11-Year-Old's Boat Dance Became a Global Business Opportunity |url=https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/indonesia-boat-dance-aura-farming-viral-20e5b3d5 |access-date=29 September 2025 |work=Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2025 |title=Indonesian boy's 'aura farming' dance brings global spotlight to centuries-old tradition |url=https://arab.news/5bza9 |access-date=28 September 2025 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> Social media users began remixing the clip with various songs under hashtags such as "aura farming kid on boat," amassing millions of views.<ref name="BBC" /> According to ''The New York Times'', the trend made Dikha "hard to miss on social media" in mid-2025.<ref name="NYT" />
As a result of the video's popularity, Dikha was appointed as a cultural and tourism ambassador for Riau province by the local governor.<ref name="NDTV" /> He and his mother were invited to the capital, Jakarta, to meet with the country's Ministers of Culture and Tourism.<ref name="NDTV" /> He was also awarded a government scholarship.<ref name="ET">{{cite web |title=Meet Rayyan Arkan Dikha, the viral 'Aura Farming' kid from Indonesia |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/meet-rayyan-arkan-dikha-the-viral-aura-farming-kid-from-indonesia/articleshow/122421559.cms |access-date=29 September 2025 |website=The Economic Times |date=13 July 2025 }}</ref>
=== Global imitations === The dance became a global meme, imitated by international sports teams and celebrities, which amplified its viral spread. Notable recreations included:
* American football player Travis Kelce, whose video garnered over 14 million views.<ref name="BBC" /> * The French football club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).<ref name="BBC" /> * Formula One driver Alex Albon.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |title=Meet Rayyan Arkan Dhika, Indonesia's Young 'Aura Farmer' Taking The Internet By Storm |url=https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/meet-rayyan-arkan-dhika-indonesias-young-aura-farmer-taking-the-internet-by-storm-8884291 |access-date=29 September 2025 |website=NDTV}}</ref> * Footballer Diego Luna, who used the dance as a goal celebration.<ref name="WSJ" /> * YouTuber and entertainer KSI and music producer Steve Aoki.<ref name="WSJ" /> * Arsenal Women and England women's national football team player Chloe Kelly during the Lionesses' Euro 2025 victory parade in Central London<ref>https://www.tiktok.com/@dailymailsport/video/7532469092419177750</ref>.
==Clip farming== The term "clip farming", which is derived from "aura farming", refers to the practice of deliberately performing controversial, exaggerated or provocative actions in an effort to cultivate a sense of social engagement around a person.
The term originated online but has now spread to real-world contexts.
Clip farming is not synonymous with aura farming; the former is distinguished by its premeditated and overt nature, whereas the latter relies on the projection of effortless or incidental charisma.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2026/02/17/aura-farming-gen-alpha-trend-explained/88710035007/|title=Your kids might be 'aura farming' and 'clip farming.' Do you know what it is?|last=Trepany|first=Charles|work=USA Today|date=February 17, 2026|access-date=February 28, 2026}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}} {{Generation Z slang|state=expanded}}{{Slang-stub}} Category:Internet memes introduced in 2025 Category:2025 in Internet culture