Tung Tung Tung Sahur: The Viral Character Haunting TikTok Users

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The viral TikTok phenomenon Tung Tung Tung Sahur has captured internet users’ attention with its bizarre and eerie backstory. First introduced on February 28, 2025, by TikTok creator @noxaasht, this anthropomorphic wooden creature with a baseball bat quickly became an emblem of a meme trend combining local culture with surreal humor.

The original video posted by @noxaasht described Tung Tung Tung Sahur as a ‘scary anomaly’ that emerges at Sahur, the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan. According to the lore, if someone is called for Sahur three times without responding, Tung Tung Tung Sahur appears at their home. The unsettling premise resonated with viewers, resulting in the video amassing over 31 million views and 2.4 million likes within a month.

“Tung tung tung tung sahur,” the voice-over states, “it is said that if someone is called three times and does not answer, this creature will come to your house. It’s very scary.” This captivating narrative taps into similar lore like the “Bloody Mary” legend in Western culture, adding an eerie twist to the meme.

The word ‘Tung’ is a reference to the sound made by a traditional Indonesian drum known as the ‘bedug,’ used to signal the Sahur meal. This drum sound forms the core audio identity of the meme, and its repetitive nature cleverly enhances the character’s branding as the ‘enforcer of Sahur.’

This well-crafted mix of cultural symbolism and absurd design led to a viral wave of videos. The trend thrived as other TikTok creators joined in, with accounts such as @redbluzx_tiktoq showcasing clips of Tung swinging his bat, earning 5.3 million views in just seven days, and @dahuludansekarang featuring the creature speaking, which hit five million views in ten days.

As the meme spread throughout Indonesia and neighboring countries, the character became a familiar face. By the end of March, many users joked that Tung Tung Tung Sahur had completed its mission and returned home after ensuring people woke up for Sahur. On March 22, TikToker @sebuahvideorandom2 shared a farewell video, racking up 1.5 million views as Indonesians humorously celebrated the character’s return.

The humor and creativity didn’t stop there, as Tung Tung Tung Sahur merged into a larger fictional universe of AI-generated characters. The wooden figure became a part of absurd narratives involving other creations like Bombardino Crocodilo and Brr Brr Patapim. Fans crafted detailed timelines and lore, positioning Tung Tung in fantastical battles along with quirky figures like Gorillardo Mazzuoloni, adding depth to the humor and engaging audiences further.

Additionally, the so-called Sahur Accord became a point of interest among viewers, depicting a fictional peace treaty during the “Croco-Avian wars.” These narratives, filled with playful chaos, defined the meme’s extended universe, solidifying its status in the ever-evolving TikTok landscape.

As of March 2025, Tung Tung Tung Sahur stands out as one of TikTok’s biggest cultural symbols, blending humor with traditional references, making it a noteworthy phenomenon of the platform.