sentences:  According to the local folklore, the name 'Painan' is originated from "paik nian", which means "very bitter" in bahasa Minangkabau, the language of the Minangkabau people who lives in the area.The phrase "paik nian" itself might refer to how difficult the life of the town's local people in the past.It is might also reflect the fact that the town's topography (surrounded by hills and rivers) caused this place to be difficult to traverse by travelers.