Ponorogo 7.27

Ponorogo is a regency (kabupaten) of East Java, Indonesia. It is considered the birthplace of Reog Ponorogo, a traditional Indonesian dance form. The Regency covers an area of 1,305.70 sq. km, and it had a population of 955.281 at the 2010 Census; the latest official estimate (as at 2015) is 1.201.306.GeographyPonorogo Regency is located in the southwestern part of the province of East Java on the border with Central Java province. It lies approximately 200 km south-west of Surabaya, the provincial capital of East Java. The regency lies between 92 and 2563 meters above sea level and covers an area of about 1,305.7 km2.HistoryAccording to the Babad Ponorogo history, Ponorogo was founded when Bathoro Katong conquered the Wengker region. This region had previously been controlled by Suryo Ngalam Wengker. Bathoro Katong originally settled in modern-day Pekalongan in what is now the village Setono in district Jenangan. Though faced with many obstacles, Raden Katong, Aji Selo, and Ki Ageng Mirah and his family continued to establish settlements in the region.With the consent of all parties, Bathoro Katong established the Duchy Ponorogo on 11 August 1496. This date is celebrated as the founding of Ponorogo, and is corroborated by ancient objects, such as a pair of stone gilang located in front of the fifth gate of the Katong Batara tomb complex. The gilang contains the forms of a human meditating, trees, eagle and elephants (candrasengkala gilang memet); all of which combine to represent the Saka year 1496.