[REVISION HISTORY]

Expansion and commercialization of ‘aura farming’ trend

Updated 38 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-14 03:47 UTC → 2026-09-26 15:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Brazilian internet meme ‘farmar aura’ has evolved from digital slang into a series of physical social competitions across Latin America and Europe. Rooted in gaming terminology where ‘farming’ refers to repetitive resource gathering, the trend uses ‘aura points’ as an imaginary scoreboard to quantify social capital. Participants aim to gain points through charisma and composure, while losing them through embarrassing moments. By late August 2026, the phenomenon transitioned from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram into physical street battles. Primarily driven by Generation Z and Generation Alpha, these competitions involve participants using specific gestures, poses, and recreations of internet ~~memes—such as ‘mewing’ or imitating football celebrations—to~~ memes to demonstrate presence. The movement has expanded significantly into Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Chile, Paraguay, Guatemala, and Spain. In early September 2026, the trend continued to mobilize large crowds in public spaces. In Latin America, participants in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil utilize beaches, parks, and squares to perform dances and poses, often dressed as characters from video games or animated films. These ‘aura battles’ focus on self-expression and charisma without physical contact, with spectators filming performances to fuel the trend’s digital presence. By September 4, 2026, the trend reached the Canary Islands via the ‘Gran Canaria Experience’ festival. On September 6, 2026, large-scale gatherings were reported in mainland Spain, specifically in Elche and Terrassa. In Elche, hundreds of adolescents gathered near the Basilica of Santa Maria to compete for public applause. In Terrassa, hundreds of young people performed choreographed gestures and breakdancing to accumulate ‘aura’ through public validation and social media recording. By mid-September 2026, the trend’s cultural visibility increased, with reports noting that even Pope Leo XIV has been observed imitating the ‘six-seven’ ~~gesture,~~ gesture. In Peru, Belén Alvite, director of CEPCA, suggested the practice could serve as a ~~prominent element~~ way for young people to “reinforce their self-esteem and confidence,” noting it can be a positive form of expression focused on building identity through social interaction. By late September 2026, the ~~digital culture.~~ trend expanded into France. In Besançon, hundreds gathered at Place de la Révolution for organized events where competitors used social media references to gain or lose ‘aura points,’ with winners decided by audience applause. Similar large-scale gatherings occurred in Montpellier at Place de la Comédie, where participants improvised movements to showcase charisma, generating significant traction on TikTok.

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