With vibrant oars in hand, rowers crowd into sleek boats in western Indonesia, passionately paddling in front of enthusiastic race spectators. This year’s audience swelled thanks to the viral sensation of a young boy known for his dancing at the bow of these traditional vessels.
The annual Pacu Jalur race on Sumatra Island concluded on Sunday, drawing an estimated 100,000 additional spectators due to 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha’s captivating boat dance routine.
“I came to watch Pacu Jalur because I wanted to capture and share the festival with the world,” said Duncan McNaught, an Australian tourist. “The rowers are incredible. I’m thrilled to be here.”
A 20-second clip of Rayyan dancing on the boat has amassed millions of views online.
Sports stars like Formula One’s Alex Albon and MotoGP’s Marc Marquez have mimicked his moves in their own videos, twirling their hands and swinging their arms.
This viral dance craze has attracted visitors from around the globe to the Kuantan River in Sumatra’s Riau Province.
Indonesian national Yuyun Kurnia, 38, traveled from Medan, a 17-hour journey, to witness Pacu Jalur after discovering it on social media. “After it went viral, I wanted to see it live,” she said, calling the race “amazing.”
Last year, the event drew 1.4 million visitors and more than $2.5 million (Dh9.1 million) to the local economy, according to the tourism ministry.
This year, they anticipate 1.5 million spectators, with a notable increase in international visitors, according to Riau tourism agency head Roni Rakhmat.
Officials project revenue could rise to $4.6 million (Dh16 million) with boosted per-person spending.
‘Super Cool’
Pacu Jalur dates back to the 17th century, originally serving as a means of transporting goods and people in traditional wooden boats called “jalur.” Over time, these boats became the centerpiece of races held every August.
Locals expressed delight at the young boy’s fame boosting the race’s profile. “It’s super cool that a kid his age created personal branding with Pacu Jalur. Through his dances, he introduced Pacu Jalur to the world,” said 18-year-old Naysila Ayunita Sari.
The event transformed the Kuantan River area, with tents and umbrellas lining the banks. Some spectators even plunged into the river for a closer view.
The boat dancer’s challenging role at the boat’s tip is to motivate the rowers. “That kid standing and dancing on a boat, it’s not easy at all,” said 35-year-old resident Frima, who, like many Indonesians, uses one name. “If you ask if I’d try… the answer is no.”
‘Grateful’
This year’s races featured over 220 teams, mostly from local villages or districts, competing for prizes totaling around 900 million rupiah (Dh202,347), according to Roni.
Authorities are capitalizing on the increased visibility to enhance event organization and river cleanliness, said Roni.
Efforts are being made by police and military to halt illegal gold mining near the river to reduce pollution, he said.
“In previous years, there were no foreign spectators at Pacu Jalur. Now there are,” he said.
For locals like Frima, who has watched the race since childhood, the newfound attention is incredible. “I never imagined all eyes would be on this small place in western Riau,” he said. “I’m grateful Pacu Jalur is now recognized worldwide.”
