According to local manuscripts, Syekh Datuk Kahfi — also known as Syekh Nurjati — was born on the Malay Peninsula in the mid-14th century and, after studying in Mecca and Baghdad, settled at Amparan Jati (Gunung Jati) on the Cirebon coast. He founded the Pesambangan Jati school, regarded as the oldest Islamic school in Cirebon, and became the teacher of the region's first generation of Islamic preachers, including the family that would later produce Sunan Gunung Jati. His death date is not precisely recorded but is estimated to the 15th century; he was buried at Giri Amparan Jati, and his tomb is visited.