  Penang
Click to get the inside scoop from
real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the Penang Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
 2476 Penang Tips.3924 Penang Photos.0 Penang Videos. Penang Pages by city_guy
| Page Views: 3,068 Last Visit to Penang: January, 2006 I Visit Here Frequently | Betel Nut Island by city_guy - last update: Jan 29, 2006 |
Origins of the name Penang Goodness, I've been to Penang at least 5 times in the last
2 months so please look forward to some serious updates!
The name Penang is derived from the word 'pinang', the Malay
for the betel or areca nut palm (scientific name Areca catechu), many
stands of which can still be found in Penang to this day. The betel nut
is a product of great cultural and symbolic significance to the Malay,
being used in everything from marriage ceremonies and shamanic
rituals to cosmetics.
Its most widespread use was as one of the ingredients used in 'sireh' -
a concoction that consists of shaved betel nut fragments, lime and
cloves wrapped in fresh palm leaves and chewed as one would chew
gum. As it is chewed, it forms an aromatic mixture which colours the
lips and saliva red and is reputed to produce mild narcotic effects.
The significance of the betel nut palm to Penang is not limited to just
its name. The modern-day tricolour flag of Penang also features the
ubiquitous tree.
It is likely that Penang was known by its Malay name Pulau Pinang
since it was first settled by the Malays. In 1591, the 'Edward
Bonaventure', the vessel of English adventurer Captain James
Lancaster; visited Pulau Rimau, an island just south of what he
called 'Poolo Pinang'. Manoel Godinho de Eredia's map of the Malay
peninsula in his 'Description of Malaca' in 1613 refers to the island in
Portuguese as as 'Pulo Pinam'.
However, Penang was also to known to Kedah inhabitants at the time
as Tanjung Penaga (Cape 'Penaga') and that particular name was even
used in Government land grants as late as 1800. Up to today, there are
Kedah folk who refer to Penang as 'Tanjung'.
W E Maxwell's 'Notes and Queries' (1887) notes an account that
appeared in Logan's Journal of the Indian Archipelago' of the voyage
of the legendary Malay seafarer Nakhoda Ragam that gives an even
earlier name for Penang. According to the legend, Nakhoda Ragam
traded in the waters along the length of the western coast of the Malay
peninsula from Lingga at the southern tip to Kedah. It was said that,
because he found no higher or larger isolated island in these travels,
he named it Pulau ke Satu ('single island').
Nahkoda Ragam was also reputed to have given the names to the
various bays, rivers and points of Pulau Pinang. On one occasion,
when sailing off the south-western end of the island, his 'kendi' or
water-pot fell into the sea, and it was immediately transformed by
the 'jinn' (genii) of the place into an island which still bears the name
of Pulau Kendi.
On leaving Pulau Kendi, he pulled into a bay on the southern coastline
of Penang. At the mouth of the river which flows into the bay, he released
a tame bird called Bayan, and thenceforth the place has been called
Bayan Lepas (or the 'free Bayan').
On another occasion, while passing Pulau Bitong on the western coast
of Penang, he encountered a heavy gale. On passing a point on the
island, the storm grew fiercer and he saw his wife's face turn pale with
fear. He henceforth referred to that place as 'Pucat Muka' or 'pale-faced'.
Another sea captain - Captain Francis Light - landed in Penang on 17th
July, 1786 to acquire it for his King and country. He too pondered on
what new name to give to the island to mark this momentous event. He
finally decided on naming it after England's regent - the Prince of Wales,
who was to later be King George IV of England. The island was, in fact,
formally named Prince of Wales Island during a flag-raising ceremony
there on August 11th - the Prince's birthday. The name, however, was
rarely used - even the British administration always referred to it as
Penang - and Prince of Wales Island was quickly forgotten. He named
the settlement they built there after King George III and that name -
Georgetown - has lasted to this day. |
|  | Beautiful Sunrise
With a sleeping hawker.. |
| | Beautiful Sunset
with coconut trees.... |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Food Food Food!" | | Cons: | "The traffic on Holidays! C-R-A-Z-Y!!!" | | In A Nutshell: | "Island of Hawker Food! Forget the Beach PLEASE!" |
city_guy's Penang Travel Tips
 city_guy's Penang Travelogues | | | |
|
 Comments for city_guy about Penang | | | | |
volopolo Sun Oct 15, 2006 16:43 UTC
lovely page! Nikos | Linda_T Thu May 11, 2006 22:22 UTC
fantastic food tips Char Kway Teow is my all time favourite :-) The Hong Kong Bar was a favourite haunt of many Australian Air Force people living in Penang many years ago. | bpacker Fri Dec 16, 2005 09:59 UTC
Greaaaat food tips! Totally agree that Char Kway Teow has got to be mildly burnt to be delicious. | Jim_Eliason Sun Aug 14, 2005 02:53 UTC
great page! |
|
More Sponsored Links for Penang
Shangri-La Golden Sands
Official site. Palau Pinang, Penang Pkgs for spa, wildlife, golf & more
Penang Hotels
Low Rates Guaranteed - Book Your Room with the Hotel Experts Today!
Beach Hotels
Custom luxury vacation packages at 5 star hotels and resorts
|
email me
add as friend
