History and Stories of Bota Kiri and Bota Kanan
Bota is a familiar name and very popular among the residents of Perak Tengah. This location is divided into two parts, Bota Kiri and Bota Kanan, both of which have their own unique and interesting stories to tell.
Introduction to Bota
The names Kiri (Left) and Kanan (Right) in Bota were used to divide the mukim, separated by the flow of the Perak River. These names were assigned based on the river's current as viewed from the riverbanks in Bota.
For your information, Bota was originally known as Berahman Indera and served as the administrative center for Sultan Alauddin Mughayat Shah, the 12th Sultan of Perak, who ruled from 1720 to 1728. Berahman Indera also served as the seat of government for several other Sultans of Perak.
Folklore Behind the Name Bota
There is also folklore explaining how the name Bota replaced the original title, Berahman Indera. According to stories passed down by the elders, the name Bota is closely linked to the existence of a giant in the area.
Local residents believed that a giant lived underground in their area. The giant was said to hide from humans in underground caves, and its name was none other than Bota.
Interestingly, it was said that this giant named Bota would emerge from its hiding place in the late afternoon before dusk. The giant was also said to be very fond of children who were not wearing pants. Any child it found without pants would be kidnapped and taken underground.
Perhaps the children caught by Bota were eaten to satisfy its hunger. According to elderly locals, the giant's body was earth-colored, resembling mud. Sightings of the Bota giant were once common in the rice fields, where it would hunt for freshwater fish to eat.
The Curse of Si Kelembai
Some loyal readers of orangperak.com suggest that the Bota giant might not be a myth but a reality. In the old days, curses and the use of black magic were believed to be very real for those who practiced such dark arts.
It is possible that the giant named Bota was actually a human who fell victim to the curse of Si Kelembai, which was quite popular in our society in the past. This is a plausible theory given that ancient times were inseparable from mystical elements.
Given that the name Berahman Indera predates Bota, the stories regarding the existence of the Bota giant likely emerged after the 18th century—a time when mystical beliefs were still deeply ingrained in our society.
The editorial team at Orang Perak, along with several loyal readers, unanimously agree that the existence of the Bota giant is merely a myth and a folk tale invented to scare children who stayed out late playing.
Conclusion
Bota was essentially a tool used by parents to warn their children about the dangers of playing outside, especially without pants. In reality, it was likely to prevent children from getting bitten by mites that thrive in skin folds and to ensure they returned home before maghrib.
Watch the explanatory video on the Origin of the Name Bota
The folklore about a giant named Bota who loved children without pants was likely passed down through generations for the same purpose, until the name became popular enough to be adopted as the name for the locations now known as Bota Kiri and Bota Kanan.
For your information, the story of the name Bota is also written in the book titled 'In Malay Forests' by Sir William George Maxwell. Sir William George Maxwell was a British officer in Perak who was fluent in Malay. His writing mentions Bota, describing it as a giant associated with forest spirits or mambang.
