Tung Tung Tung Sahur: The Viral Meme and Its Cultural Roots Explained

The phrase “Tung Tung Tung Sahur” has taken the internet by storm in 2025, especially on TikTok, blending Indonesian Ramadan traditions with surreal AI-generated horror-comedy memes. This article dives deep into what Tung Tung Tung Sahur means, its origins, cultural significance, and how it became a viral meme sensation, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating phenomenon.

What Is Tung Tung Tung Sahur?

Tung Tung Tung Sahur is a viral meme featuring an AI-generated wooden creature holding a baseball bat, accompanied by a creepy voiceover chanting the phrase. The meme humorously “warns” those who sleep through Sahur-the pre-dawn meal Muslims eat before fasting during Ramadan-that this creature will visit their house if they ignore the call three times.

The phrase “Tung Tung Tung” mimics the sound of the bedug, a traditional Indonesian and Malaysian drum used during Ramadan to signal prayer times and Sahur.
Sahur itself refers to the early morning meal before fasting begins, derived from the Arabic word “سحور”.

This meme blends cultural tradition with absurdist horror, creating a folklore-like monster that enforces the Sahur wake-up call in a surreal and comedic way.

Origins and Rise of the Meme

The meme originated on TikTok on February 28, 2025, when user @noxaasht posted the first video featuring the AI wooden creature at a bus stop, with the voiceover explaining the creature punishes those who ignore Sahur calls three times7. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 31 million views in a month.

Following this, the meme exploded in popularity across Indonesia and Malaysia, inspiring:

AI-generated animations of the creature attacking people.
Artistic hand-drawn versions and even tattoos.
Remixes and crossover memes with other AI-generated characters like Brr Brr Patapim and Bombardino Crocodilo.

By March 2025, the meme had become a widespread digital phenomenon, symbolizing a humorous yet eerie reminder to wake up for Sahur.

Cultural Background: The Real Tung Tung Sahur Tradition

Before the meme, Tung Tung Sahur was a traditional custom in Indonesia during Ramadan. Volunteers would patrol neighborhoods, banging drums, wooden clappers, or metal vessels to wake people for Sahur, especially before electricity was common.

This practice symbolizes community spirit and mutual assistance.
The “Tung Tung” sound imitates the rhythmic beats of these instruments.
It remains an important cultural symbol during Ramadan in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Why Has the Meme Resonated So Strongly?

Cultural relevance: It taps into a widely recognized Ramadan tradition.
Surreal humor: The AI-generated creature and horror-comedy style appeal to TikTok’s younger audience.
Creative expansion: The meme evolved into a digital folklore with fan-made stories, battles, and remixes.
Relatable message: It humorously addresses the common problem of oversleeping Sahur.

Brands and creators have even tried to leverage this meme’s popularity, making it a hallmark of 2025’s internet culture.

Practical Tips: How to Use the Tung Tung Tung Sahur Meme

If you want to join the trend or use the meme for social media engagement, here are some actionable ideas:

Create your own AI or hand-drawn versions of the creature.
Make humorous Sahur reminder videos using the meme’s chant.
Use it to engage friends or family who struggle to wake up for Sahur.
Combine it with other Ramadan-themed content to increase relevance.
Explore remixing the chant with different music styles for viral potential.

Including images or videos of the original AI creature and popular fan art can boost engagement and visual appeal.

Common Misconceptions

The meme is not an actual folklore creature but a modern internet creation inspired by tradition.
It is meant to be humorous and surreal, not genuinely scary or threatening.
The meme is specific to the 2025 Ramadan season and may not be widely recognized outside Indonesian and Malaysian internet communities.

Summary

Tung Tung Tung Sahur is a unique blend of Indonesian Ramadan tradition and modern AI-driven internet culture. It creatively reinterprets a beloved Sahur wake-up custom through a surreal, humorous lens, making it a viral sensation on TikTok and beyond. Whether you want to understand its cultural roots or join the meme trend, this phenomenon offers a fascinating look at how tradition and technology collide in the digital age.

FAQs

1. What does “Tung Tung Tung Sahur” mean?

It imitates the sound of the traditional bedug drum (“Tung Tung Tung”) used during Ramadan to wake people for Sahur, the pre-dawn meal before fasting.

2. Where did the Tung Tung Tung Sahur meme originate?

From a TikTok video posted by @noxaasht on February 28, 2025, featuring an AI-generated wooden creature warning those who miss Sahur calls.

3. Is Tung Tung Tung Sahur a real folklore creature?

No, it is a modern internet meme inspired by traditional Sahur wake-up customs, created for humorous and surreal effect.

4. Why is the meme so popular?

Its mix of cultural relevance, surreal AI visuals, humor, and relatable message about waking up for Sahur has made it viral, especially among Indonesian and Malaysian youth on TikTok.

5. What is the traditional Tung Tung Sahur practice?

Volunteers patrol neighborhoods during Ramadan, banging drums or clappers to wake people for Sahur, fostering community spirit.

6. Are there other memes related to Tung Tung Tung Sahur?

Yes, it is part of a broader “brainrot” meme culture with characters like Bombardino Crocodilo and Brr Brr Patapim, creating a shared digital mythology.

7. Can I use the meme for Ramadan content?

Absolutely! It’s a fun, culturally relevant way to remind people about Sahur and engage audiences with creative videos or art.