Reflecting On Gangnam Style, Fadli Zon Calls Dikha Pacu Dance A Line Can Be A Worldly Local Cultural Expression

Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon met with Path Pacu Dancer, Rayyan Arkan Dikha in Jakarta (9/7/2025). (Ivan Two Men/VOI)

JAKARTA - Pacu Jalan, the tradition of the boat rowing competition from Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau, has received global attention after going viral on social media. One of the uniqueties of this tradition is the existence of a Dancer' who stands dancing at the front of the rowing boat which acts as an encouragement for the team with dance movements.

Rayyan Arkan Dikha, an 11-year-old boy who is a Dancer, is one of the highlights. His dance on the boat went viral and was imitated by many people from various countries, which was later uploaded on social media.

Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon expressed his appreciation for Pacu Line. The viral moment of Dikha on social media is proof that local traditions in Indonesia still have relevance, especially among young people.

"It's a competition, culture-based tradition, and has obtained Indonesia's Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2015. Well, we hope this cultural heritage will continue, from generation to generation," said Fadli Zon when met by the Kemendikbudristek Complex, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, July 9.

Fadli also encouraged the Regent of Kuantan Singingi, Suhardiman Amby, to pay more attention to the viral Dhika dance. The reason is, as a cultural expression, the dance can be a phenomenon in itself, both nationally and globally.

Dulu kalau di Korea Selatan ada Gangnam Style, mungkin ini Pacu Line Style, atau apalah namanya. Nah, ini harus bisa mengundur, ujar Menbud. Kita kan punya gerak, seperti (tari) Poco-poco atau (tari) Maumere. Mungkin ini harus dipikir segera, nama tarannya apa.

Fadli also added that Rayhan's dance, which is based on spontaneity and improvisation, can be developed into a separate choreography, to enrich the cultural expression of the stripe tradition.

"Maybe the spontaneous dances can be made more regular, maybe with a bigger flashmob, at various events. I think it's part of disseminating, appreciating, and responding to what happened," said Fadli. And that will certainly enrich our cultural expressions, one of which is from the runway element. Who would have thought that it would get such a wide response, because of the uniqueness that wasn't there elsewhere.

As part of efforts to protect and accelerate national culture, Pacu Line is also included in 10 Cultural Advancement Objects based on Law Number 5 of 2017 concerning Cultural Advancement. This tradition is considered to have an important contribution in strengthening regional cultural identity and building collective awareness in the community.

Pacu Path is one real example of a living cultural heritage, because it continues to be carried out and is actively inherited by its community across generations. In its approach, the sustainability of cultural practices is the main focus, including through the regeneration of actors, community education, regional and central government support, as well as strengthening cultural functions in daily life.

Besides being known as an attractive cultural attraction, Pacu Path is also full of noble values that make it more than just a boat race. The values of gotong royong, collective leadership, spirituality, courage, and cross-age cooperation are an integral part of the cultural identity of the Melayu Riau community. Symbolic visualization through track ornaments, traditional music, and rituals strengthens the expressive dimension of this tradition.

Given the significant continuity of practice, community strength, and impact at the local and national levels, Pacu Path is also considered to have the potential to be proposed as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO). This effort is part of a long-term strategy for community-based cultural preservation.