There is no certain historical document or archive that holds the origin of the town's name. According to the local folklore, the name 'Painan' originated from paik nian, which means "very bitter" in Bahasa Minangkabau, the language of the Minangkabau people who live in the area. The phrase paik nian itself might refer to how difficult the life of the town's local people was in the past. It 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.
This coastal town became an important place during Indonesia's colonial period in 1663 when the Dutch, via the Dutch East India Company, set a trading post in Pulau Cingkuak (Cingkuak Island), one of many islands that are located offshore the town, as documented in the "Perjanjian Painan" or 'Painan Treaty'. Through the treaty, the local chiefs of the West Coast of Sumatra were also bound to supply pepper and gold to the Dutch.[1]
Economy
Nowadays, as the capital of the South Pesisir regency, this town is the center of economic activities in the regency. According to the regency's website, this town's main economic activities lie in farming, fishery, and tourism.[2]
Education
Painan has 4 Kindergartens and 2 Play Groups.
It also has 9 Primary schools, 2 Junior High schools, 1 Senior High school, 1 Public High school and 1 University.
Administration
Painan is divided into 3 administrative villages or kelurahan :
