Wearing traditional Malay green attire and sunglasses, Rayyan performed the Pacu Jalur dance, popularly known as “aura farming,” before President Prabowo Subianto.
Accompanied by other dancers, he moved energetically to traditional music, amplifying the charm of his performance.
President Prabowo applauded the performance, followed by enthusiastic applause from the audience, with several guests standing and joining the crowd.
The Pacu Jalur dance went viral on social media because of its “aura farming” moves, which have been recreated by global stars such as Travis Scott, Neymar, and Marc Márquez.
Originating from Kuantan Singingi, Riau, the dance is traditionally performed on the bow of long wooden boats during Pacu Jalur river races.
The dancer’s spontaneous and rhythmic moves serve both as entertainment and as motivation for the rowers. The race, rooted in local tradition, is often held to mark major celebrations, including Indonesia’s Independence Day.
Other performances also added vibrancy to the celebration, including the Tabola Bale song by the group Silet Open Up and singer Diva Aurel, which prompted hundreds of guests on the Palace grounds—including Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya and Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi—to join in dancing.
The festivities also featured more than 1,000 dancers from across the archipelago, showcasing traditional dances and martial arts as part of the Independence Day program.
The flag-raising ceremony was led by President Prabowo Subianto, marking his debut in this role.
This year’s Independence Day theme, “United and Sovereign, Prosperous People, and Advanced Indonesia,” reflects the enduring spirit of nationalism that serves as a foundation for the nation’s progress.
A series of activities were scheduled to mark the occasion, including the Red and White Flag Parade, the Proclamation Text reading, the People’s Carnival, and the Independence Carnival.
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Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
