Not all viral memes start with a dance or a celebrity. Sometimes, all it takes is a wooden log with a bat, a catchy chant, and a centuries-old tradition. The “Tung Tung Tung Sahur” meme has taken over timelines with its oddball charm and rhythmic call to wake up—and it’s tied to a ritual far more meaningful than most might realize.
A Tradition with a Twist
To understand why this meme has become a sensation, it helps to know a little about sahur—the pre-dawn meal Muslims eat during Ramadan to prepare for a day of fasting. In parts of Indonesia and other Muslim-majority regions, it’s common for volunteers or community members to walk the streets early in the morning, beating drums and calling out to wake up their neighbors in time for sahur. That’s where “Tung Tung Tung” comes from—an onomatopoeic take on the sound of those rhythmic drumbeats.
But how did this cultural tradition make its way to TikTok?
Enter the Log with a Bat
The viral spark came in February 2025 when TikTok creator @noxaasht posted a meme that featured an animated wooden log—shaped like an oversized rolling pin or traditional Indian mugdar—clutching a baseball bat and rhythmically chanting “Tung Tung Tung Sahur.” The absurdity of the animation, mixed with the catchy chant, hit the sweet spot for meme lovers worldwide.
Soon, the log became a symbol of chaotic pre-dawn energy. Users began recreating the meme using filters, AI-generated characters, and remixed versions of the chant, giving rise to a full-blown trend across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and even YouTube Shorts.
Why This Meme Hit Home
Part of the meme’s success lies in its mix of humor and cultural familiarity. For many Muslims, the pre-dawn call to sahur is a nostalgic memory—sometimes annoying, sometimes endearing. The “Tung Tung Tung” chant captures the playful spirit of those early morning wake-ups in a way that transcends language.
At the same time, the meme taps into a larger internet trend: bizarre, surreal animations with repetitive sounds or phrases. Think Skibidi Toilet or Talking Ben—”Tung Tung Tung Sahur” fits right in but comes with an unexpected cultural layer that gives it staying power beyond the usual meme lifecycle.
From Memes to Filters
The meme’s popularity has also inspired creativity in how it’s used. Some creators have made parody videos of themselves being “attacked” by the log for oversleeping. Others have added music production elements, remixing the chant into EDM tracks or fusing it with local instruments.
In a way, “Tung Tung Tung Sahur” has gone from a funny internet video to a full-on participatory phenomenon. There’s even a growing number of filters and effects based on the log and its distinctive chant, which people use in their own wake-up call videos.
A Wake-Up Call With Viral Power
What started as a quirky TikTok clip has now evolved into something more than just a joke. It’s a reminder of how cultural traditions can unexpectedly go viral in the digital age—and how younger generations are remixing their heritage in funny, fresh ways.
And while the future of any meme is always uncertain, the legacy of “Tung Tung Tung Sahur” feels different. Whether it fades in a few months or becomes a recurring Ramadan tradition online, it’s already carved a place in meme history—one rhythmic beat at a time.
BuzzGuru
inBeat
Capssion
Modash
Qoruz