'Aura Farming': The Video Game-Inspired Youth Trend Sweeping Latin America
Dozens of young people in costume compete for crowd cheers as the social media trend moves from Brazil to cities across Latin America and Spain.
- On Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, young people in Lima, Peru, held an aura battle at Las Sombrillas, a physical manifestation of the internet trend sweeping across Latin America and Spain.
- Peruvian content creator Fernando Lúcito saw a Brazil contest in June and brought the trend to Peru, where participants compete for crowd applause to generate good vibes.
- Competitors engage in dance battles without touching, often mimicking soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo's goal celebration or dressing as characters like Shrek or Chainsaw to showcase creativity and earn crowd favor.
- Reactions remain mixed: officials in Lima's Miraflores district and Costa Rica cancelled or banned events over permit issues, while Mexico's education minister embraced the trend, posting a video claiming to be "farming good education."
- María Paula Martínez, a professor at Colombia's Los Andes University, noted that aura farming has moved beyond the digital world into physical spaces, enabling teenagers to socialize and show off good vibes.
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My Mother Lode
The Seattle Times‘Aura farming’: The video game-inspired youth trend sweeping Latin America
LIMA, Peru (AP) — Dozens of young people gathered recently on a beach in Peru’s capital to dance, pose and show off their most creative moves — all in pursuit of one thing: aura. They were taking part in a so-called “aura battle,” a real-world spin on the Internet trend known as “aura farming” that...
‘Aura farming’ sweeps Latin America as young people turn online trend into real-world contests
Young people in Latin America are participating in real-world aura battles. These events involve creative dancing and performances for audience recognition. The trend, originating online, has moved offline and gained popularity. Competitions are occurring in various cities across South America and Spain. Some officials have raised concerns, while others embrace the phenomenon.
Associated Press News
'Aura farming': The video game-inspired youth trend sweeping Latin America
Young people across Latin America are gathering on beaches, parks and other public spaces to take part in "aura battles," a trend that has moved from the internet to the real world.
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