Section 02: Origin of bahau
"Bahau: A Historically Rich and Legendary Small Town"
Bahau, a significant small town under the administration of Jempol District in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, is strategically situated. The town enjoys excellent transportation connections, linking various parts of the country seamlessly. Located approximately 130 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, a drive along the North-South Expressway takes just about two hours; heading south, it's approximately 450 kilometers to Singapore, and the journey takes around four hours on the same expressway. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is merely an hour and a half's drive away. For those wishing to traverse the Malaysian Peninsula eastward to reach Kuantan, the largest city on the East Coast, it's just a two-hour drive. Additionally, the railway provides another mode of travel, with a 20-minute drive to Gemas where one can catch a train. Gemas serves as a key junction in Malaysia's railway network, connecting major cities in the northern and southern parts of the peninsula, including Ipoh, Penang, Kota Bharu to the north, and Segamat, Kluang, and Johor Bahru to the south, making travel between these cities highly convenient.
The Evolution of "芭口" into "马口" and Its Myriad Legends The origin of the name "Bahau" is said to be connected to the prominence of the Bahau train station as a major transportation hub. In the past, many agricultural products were transported by train to places like Singapore. Hence, the area around the train station was referred to as "芭口" (Bahau), corresponding to the Cantonese term "园坵大门口," which translates to "entrance of the plantation." However, the evolution of the name "马口" (Bahau) is more complex, involving a place called "榕吉" (Ladang Geddis) several kilometers away.
According to legend, the name "马口" (Bahau) originated due to its phonetic similarity to the phrase "不好" (bù hǎo), which means "not good" in Chinese. When Fujianese immigrants met each other in Bahau and exchanged greetings, they would use the phrase "不好" as a form of greeting. Over time, for the sake of convenience, this place was simply referred to as "马口" (Bahau). However, as they settled and adapted to the environment, they discovered that Bahau wasn't actually bad at all. In fact, in the 1970s, it even had the reputation of being called "小金山" (Little Gold Mountain).
The Origin of the Name "Rongji" Regarding the origin of the name "榕吉" (Rongqi), there is a tale from the early days of Kota. It is said that the people from various backgrounds who were involved in the establishment of Kota faced a severe problem with drinking water. The river water in Kota at the time carried a layer of rust and was unsuitable for consumption. Even though wells were dug, a thin layer of pale yellow oil would form on the surface of the water, making everyone anxious about drinking it.
As a result, many people fell ill, experiencing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Workers began calling it "若连天" (ruò lián tiān), which translates to "sick all day." Later, someone came up with the idea that every worker should greet each other with the phrase, "Today, we are all lucky!" as the first words upon waking up.
It is said that among people from various backgrounds, the Fujianese suffered the least from the illnesses. Since the Fujianese are also referred to as "榕籍人" (Rongji rén), the people from Rongqi were considered lucky. Over time, this concept evolved into the name "榕吉" (Rongqi).
In summary, the name "马口" (Bahau) encompasses a wealth of history and cultural heritage, involving the evolution of various locations and multiple legends. (Source: The Internet, Compiled by: Rebecca Ho)
According to the account by Mr. Rao Jinjian （饶进见）, in the early days, "榕吉" (Rongqi) was originally known as "龙吉" (Longji). During that time, many of the contractors were of Fuzhou origin. Later on, "龙吉" was changed to "榕吉." Before this change, some individuals wished to name Bahau to reflect the spirit of "龙马" (dragon and horse) symbolizing vigor and vitality. As there was already a location named "龙"吉, they decided to change "芭口" (Bahau) to "马口" (Bahau), and this name has been used ever since. Despite this, the official name of Bahau remains "Bahau."
Furthermore, there is another Malay society's legend regarding Bahau. It is said that the rivers in the outskirts of Bahau used to frequently flood, and there were instances of Chinese individuals accidentally falling into the water. When Malays went to offer help, they would shout "Pak," and the person in the water would respond "Hoo." Over time, this situation allegedly led to the evolution of the name "马口" (Bahau).