The town was used to be named Brahman Indera. However, mythical folklore began to emerge among the locals of "ogres" or giants that used to hid inside caves or holes underground around the river called "bota" (likely from the "bhuta", a jin-like creature which itself has been mentioned in the Malay Annals): these giants are said by the folks to have a earthy, muddy complexion and commonly lurk around yellow bamboo groves on the banks and edge of paddy fields where fish perch.