"The Ministry of Culture has registered this traditional event as part of Indonesia’s national intangible cultural heritage," he said on Tuesday.
The announcement followed the event’s surge in global popularity, sparked by a viral video showing a boy dancing on the tip of a Pacu Jalur boat during a race. Netizens described his movements using the internet slang term "aura farming."
Zon emphasized that the race — which originated in Kuantan Singingi District, Riau — is a valuable part of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
He also praised the expressive dances performed during the event, which require the dancer to move in sync with the boat’s rowers while maintaining balance at the boat’s tip.
"In my view, the dances are expressive and captivating, especially given how difficult it is to stay balanced while dancing on a moving boat," he said.
Zon also thanked those who helped promote the tradition on social media platforms.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka expressed support for the event by posting a video on his Instagram account, where he mimicked the viral dance performed by the boy.
In the caption, he wrote that Pacu Jalur is more than just a tradition — it is a cultural heritage that reflects Indonesia’s national identity and richness.
"Many international figures have helped promote Pacu Jalur — a tradition that has become a form of cultural diplomacy in the digital era, where online content serves as a powerful medium to showcase Indonesia’s local wisdom to the world," the caption read.
Meanwhile, the Riau provincial government has appointed the boy in the viral video, 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha, as a tourism ambassador.
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Translator: Sinta A, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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