Discover how the Tung Tung Tung Sahur meme took TikTok by storm with millions of views

A wooden, wide-eyed character clutching a baseball bat has become the breakout star of TikTok in 2025. Known as Tung Tung Tung Sahur, this viral meme blends absurd humor, artificial intelligence, and Ramadan traditions, amassing over 42 million views in just a few months. Its infectious rhythm, mimicking Indonesian drums, and the quirky narrative of a creature “haunting” those who skip the pre-dawn sahur meal have captured the internet’s imagination. The phenomenon showcases the internet’s power to transform local customs into global trends, merging spirituality with digital entertainment.

The meme’s origins trace back to a video posted on February 28, 2025, by a user named @noxaasht on TikTok. The clip features the cylindrical character in a setting resembling a bus or train stop, holding its bat and accompanied by an Indonesian narration. The voice describes the creature as a “terrifying anomaly” that appears during sahur, visiting the homes of those who fail to respond to the meal call after three attempts. The surreal visuals, eerie narration, and catchy “tung tung tung” beat quickly turned the video into a hit, racking up 3.1 million likes.

The appeal of Tung Tung Tung Sahur extends beyond humor. It resonates with the shared experience of millions of Muslims who rise before dawn during Ramadan to eat. The reference to the sound of drums, or bedug, used in Indonesian villages to wake people for sahur, adds a layer of cultural authenticity that ties the meme to real traditions. Meanwhile, its AI-generated aesthetic places it firmly within the realm of “brainrot” memes, defined by bizarre visuals and exaggerated narratives.

@noxaasht hati hati #tungtungtung #sahurr #brainrot #bismillahfyp ♬ original sound – 7AJ????

The meme’s meteoric rise on TikTok

Following the initial video, Tung Tung Tung Sahur evolved from a single clip into a cultural juggernaut. Content creators began remixing the original sound, adding their own visual spins and storylines. A standout moment came on March 10, when user @redbluzx_tiktoq posted a video showing the character swinging its bat and running before dramatically exploding, earning 5.3 million views. The meme’s adaptability to various formats, from animations to drawings to fictional battles with other AI creatures, fueled its widespread appeal.

Another key milestone was the creation of a themed TikTok filter, allowing users to incorporate the character into their own videos. This feature supercharged the meme’s virality, with people from countries like Malaysia, Egypt, and the United States experimenting with its aesthetic. The universal theme—waking up early to eat—paired with absurd humor made the meme accessible even to non-Muslims, who joined in with comedic skits and dance videos.

The meme also sparked comparisons to other “brainrot” trends on TikTok, such as Brr Brr Patapim, a moss-covered monkey, and Hotspot Bro, another AI-generated character. These creations are often “powerscaled” in videos imagining epic battles between them, highlighting the playful and competitive nature of TikTok’s meme culture. Influences from surreal narratives, like those in French Bitcoin Burger IbraTV videos, suggest Tung Tung Tung Sahur is part of a broader wave of experimental digital content.

• Initial video: February 28, 2025, by @noxaasht, with 42.5 million views.
• Themed filter: Popularized the meme globally, used in countries like Egypt and the U.S.
• Related characters: Brr Brr Patapim and Hotspot Bro compete for attention.
• Total views: Over 100 million across meme-related videos on TikTok.

Blending tradition with technology

Tung Tung Tung Sahur is more than a funny meme; it reflects the intersection of traditional culture and cutting-edge technology. The “tung tung tung” sound mimics the bedug, a double-headed drum used in Indonesia and Malaysia to signal sahur time. This practice, common in rural communities, ensures everyone wakes up to prepare for the fast. By incorporating this element into an AI-generated video, the meme bridges past and present, connecting younger generations to ancient rituals in a modern, engaging way.

The light horror narrative, portraying the character as a creature that punishes those who ignore sahur, also taps into digital folklore. Like Slender Man, an internet-born monster, Tung Tung Tung Sahur is a modern “cryptid” designed to entertain and spook playfully. The idea that it appears after three ignored calls echoes urban legends like Bloody Mary, but with a culturally specific twist that makes it unique. This blend of fear and humor is particularly effective on TikTok, where short-form content must grab attention fast.

Moreover, the use of artificial intelligence in creating the character underscores the growing role of this technology in digital content production. AI tools enable everyday users to generate complex images and animations, democratizing meme creation. Tung Tung Tung Sahur, with its quirky, expressive design, exemplifies how AI can produce something both strange and captivating, feeding the “brainrot” aesthetic that dominates social media.

Cultural impact and global reach

The rapid spread of Tung Tung Tung Sahur illustrates TikTok’s power as a platform for cultural globalization. Though rooted in Indonesia, the meme’s popularity crossed borders, reaching both Muslim and non-Muslim communities worldwide. Videos tied to the meme have been viewed over 100 million times, with creators in the United States, United Kingdom, and Egypt adding their own interpretations. This universality stems from the simplicity of the concept—a wake-up call—and a visual aesthetic that transcends language barriers.

In Indonesia, the meme took on special significance during Ramadan 2025, which ended in March. Many users jokingly claimed the Tung Tung Tung Sahur “completed its mission” of scaring people into not missing sahur, with videos depicting the character “returning to its homeland” or vanishing in fictional planes. A farewell video posted by @sebuahvideorandom2 on March 22 garnered 1.5 million views, highlighting the meme’s emotional and communal resonance.

Artists also amplified the meme’s impact. On March 13, user @dahuludansekarang shared a clip of the character speaking, which racked up nearly 5 million views. Meanwhile, TikToker @drw.artz posted a pencil-drawing tutorial showing how to sketch the character, amassing 3.7 million views. These creative efforts turned the meme into a form of artistic expression, extending its reach beyond its initial humor.

• Global reach: Videos in countries like Malaysia, Egypt, and the UK.
• Emotional farewell: “Goodbye” videos for Tung Tung Tung Sahur gain millions of views.
• Artistic expression: Drawings and animations boost the meme’s popularity.
• Community engagement: Users create shared narratives around the character.

TikTok’s role in shaping viral trends

The success of Tung Tung Tung Sahur underscores TikTok’s central role in crafting modern cultural trends. The platform, renowned for turning short clips into global phenomena, provides a space where ideas can spread rapidly, often without needing prior context. TikTok’s algorithm, which prioritizes engaging content, was instrumental in propelling the meme, landing it on millions of users’ feeds within days.

The platform’s collaborative nature also contributes to the longevity of memes like Tung Tung Tung Sahur. Creators don’t just consume content; they reinterpret it, adding layers of meaning and humor. This creates a feedback loop where the meme evolves continuously, staying relevant even after Ramadan ended. Cross-cultural interactions further enrich the content, transforming an Indonesian tradition into something that resonates globally.

Additionally, TikTok fosters collective storytelling, where users build “lore” or fictional narratives around characters like Tung Tung Tung Sahur. These often absurd stories, such as battles between the character and other AI beings, reflect Gen Z’s creativity, using humor to explore complex themes like spirituality and technology. The meme, therefore, is more than a joke—it’s a snapshot of the digital zeitgeist in 2025.

The brainrot aesthetic and the future of memes

The rise of Tung Tung Tung Sahur is closely tied to the “brainrot” aesthetic, a term describing memes that blend absurd visuals, disjointed narratives, and over-the-top humor. These memes, often crafted with AI tools, defy conventional logic, appealing to a generation raised on digital content. Characters like Brr Brr Patapim, a mossy monkey, and Tralalero Tralala, a shark in Nike sneakers, share this aesthetic, creating a universe of bizarre creatures vying for attention.

Tung Tung Tung Sahur stands out in this landscape due to its connection to a specific cultural tradition. Unlike purely fictional brainrot memes, the Indonesian character is rooted in real practices, lending it authenticity. This fusion of folklore and technology suggests that the future of memes may involve deeper integration of cultural elements with digital tools, producing content that’s both local and universal.

The meme’s longevity will hinge on its ability to reinvent itself. Though Ramadan 2025 has ended, Tung Tung Tung Sahur continues to appear in videos, often in contexts unrelated to its origin. Creators have used the “tung tung tung” sound in comedy skits, cooking tutorials, and dance challenges, showcasing its versatility. Potential new filters and brand collaborations, like those with Indonesian food companies, could keep the meme relevant.

• Brainrot aesthetic: Memes with absurd visuals and chaotic narratives.
• Cultural fusion: Blends local traditions with AI-driven technology.
• Versatility: Sound used in diverse contexts like cooking and dance.
• Brand potential: Companies like Indomie leverage the meme in campaigns.

Tung Tung Tung Sahur timeline

The Tung Tung Tung Sahur meme followed a remarkable trajectory since its debut. Below is a timeline of its key milestones:

• February 28, 2025: User @noxaasht posts the first video, reaching 42.5 million views.
• March 10, 2025: @redbluzx_tiktoq shares a clip of the character exploding, with 5.3 million views.
• March 13, 2025: @dahuludansekarang posts a video of the character speaking, hitting 5 million views.
• March 22, 2025: @drw.artz shares a drawing tutorial, gaining 3.7 million views.
• Late March 2025: “Farewell” videos gain traction, with one clip earning 1.5 million views.
• April 2025: Meme spreads globally, with filters and remixes in multiple countries.

This timeline illustrates how the meme grew from a single video into a cultural trend, driven by user creativity and TikTok’s dynamics.

The lasting legacy of the phenomenon

Tung Tung Tung Sahur is more than a fleeting meme; it represents a new form of cultural expression in the digital age. By turning a Ramadan tradition into a global sensation, the meme highlights the potential of social media to unite communities and create shared narratives. Its blend of humor, spirituality, and technology resonates with Gen Z, who value authenticity and creativity equally.

The meme’s ability to cross cultural boundaries also underscores TikTok’s role as a hub for experimentation and exchange. Users from diverse backgrounds contributed to its evolution, adding layers of meaning beyond the initial joke. This global collaboration is a testament to the internet’s power to transform something local into a universal phenomenon, connecting people through laughter and creativity.

Ultimately, Tung Tung Tung Sahur leaves a legacy of innovation in content creation. The use of AI to craft characters and narratives has opened new doors for creators, while the integration of cultural elements added depth to the humor. As TikTok continues to shape digital culture, memes like this will likely keep emerging, blending tradition, technology, and a dash of absurdity to capture the world’s imagination.

• Global connection: Bridges Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
• Innovation: AI drives viral content creation.
• Legacy: Inspires culturally rooted memes.
• Creativity: Users shape collective stories on TikTok.