Gesang (village) 2.23

Gesang is a small town located the Tempeh subdistrict of East Java, approximately 30 minutes drives from Lumajang and 4 hours from Surabaya. It borders the towns of Jokarto, Pulo, Jatisari, Semumu and Nguter .DemographyAccording to a 2008 census, there are 5591 people living in Gesang, 2800 males and 2791 females. Gesang is divided into 5 Dusun (village sub-districts); Dusun Putuk (highest place), Dusun Kebonan (previously Kebon Sari, most beautiful place), Dusun Darungan (temporary visitors), Dusun Krajan (crowded place) I and Dusun Krajan II. Gesang consists of 5 Rukun Warga (RW) and 42 Rukun Tetangga (RT). 99% of the population are Moslem although a very small percent of Christians have homes in Gesang and there is a church.HistoryIn 1243, some of the Mataram kingdom set up Nusa Barong Island, Puger under the leadership of Patih Danurejo. They were ordered to search for an heirloom of the kingdom, which had been stolen by Ratu Pantai Selatan (The Queen of the Southern Ocean). As the king of Blambangan knew that some of the Mataram people were staying within his kingdom. He ordered them to leave Nusa Barong Island. Feeling defeated, the remaining warriors ran away to the valley of Semeru mountain (which us now known as Tumpeng village). In the village they met an elder called ‘Mbah Tuan’. He suggested that they make a “Kauripan” (life), for themselves on the east of the Tumpeng village. Then the Mataram people chose to live in Watu Dakon (which is now Dusun Krajan 1). They could make a life for themselves there.