Dozens of young people gathered recently on a beach in Peru’s capital to dance, pose and show off their most creative moves — all in pursuit of one thing: aura. They were taking part in a so-called “aura battle,” a real-world spin on the Internet trend known as “aura farming” that is sweeping across Latin America. (AP Video: Mauricio Muñoz)
Young men dressed as “Mr. Chainsaw” and “Maduro” face off in an aura-farming battle at Las Sombrillas beach in Lima, Peru, on Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Aura farmers wait their turn to compete in aura-farming battles at Las Sombrilla beach in Lima, Peru, on Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
“Ciclope,” or Cyclops and “Chamo,” or dude face off in an aura-farming battle at Las Sombrillas beach in Lima, Peru, on Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
A participant who goes by “Ciclope,” or Cyclops, competes in an aura-farming battle at Las Sombrillas beach in Lima, Peru, on Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
