TOPONYMY
The name “Bongek” was given to this place following the discovery of a hot water spring (“air hangek” in Negeri Sembilan dialect) by a community of Minangkabau from Acheh circa 1773. They are a group of people who migrated with Raja Melewar from Pagar Ruyong. Raja Melewar was invited by the 4 Undangs to be the first Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. According to Haji Basri Hasan, a pensioner who is also a native, “Bongek” is a result of morphological process (blending) between “Boncah” and “Jangek”. “Boncah” is a Sanskrit word bearing the meaning of “swamp” whereas “Jangek” is a type of food made from “cow’s hide”. This cow’s hide had to be washed with the hot water (“air hangek”) found in the “Boncah” before it could be eaten. Hence, every time they wanted to have the cow’s hide in their menu, the villagemen had to go to the Boncah as part of its preparation, and the pronunciation of “boncah” and “jangek” would occur in utterances such as “Nak ke boncah mencuci jangek.” After mentioning the words “boncah” and “jangek” repetitively, the morphological process of blending took place. The first syllable of “boncah” is joined with the second syllable of “ngek” and together, the two syllables form the name of the village which is “Bongek” (Basri Hasan, 2012).

ATTRACTION
“Bongek” is located in the middle of the route between Tampin (South) and Seremban (North) on Federal Road 1. The uniqueness of its name makes one wonder how the place gets its name. One would always remember its name because of its uniqueness. Pedas Wet Water Park and Hot Spring is in the vicinity.