Fanciful origins of Malaysian town names

ipfairy4...Mambang Di Awan residents still living out a quiet existence despite the development of shophouses and commercial areas in the new village since the 1950s. Starpix by Lew Yong Kan/050702/Ipoh/Christina Koh

1. Mambang Di Awan, Perak: Loosely translated from Malay as “fairy in the clouds”, the name was coined when a group of tin miners believed they saw an angel in the clouds as they were resting after a hard day’s work.

2. Tanjung Rimau, Malacca: Derived from “harimau” or tiger in Malay, the town got its name from early settlers who claimed a “weretiger” would appear and help villagers in times of hardship. Another theory is that after warrior Panglima Hitam spotted a one-eyed tiger sitting on an anthill, he noticed that the area was suitable to be developed.