Muslim sign of the Sri Lankan deity concept; A Study of Beliefs Associated with God ‘Gale Bandara’

In Sri Lanka, a culturally rich country, the concept of deities associated with folk religion is prevalent. It is common to see the Sinhalese, Tamil and Christian people perform rituals to deities rooted in their religions and to certain gods and goddesses worshipped locally. In Islam, the concept of ‘gods’ does not exist beyond the one supreme deity ‘Allah’. Islam is strictly monotheistic, emphasizing the worship of a single, indivisible God, referred to as Allah in Arabic. However, a local deity named Gale Bandara, who is worshipped by Muslims in Sri Lanka and is believed to have Muslim origins, has joined the pantheon of gods in Sri Lanka. The aim of this research is to study the Muslim people’s beliefs and folklore surrounding the Gale Bandara deity, who is also worshipped by Muslims despite their monotheistic religious background. The research question for this study is: What folk cultural factors influence the worship of the Gale Bandara deity by Muslim people with a monotheistic religious background? Data for this descriptive research conducted using qualitative data were gathered from primary sources, such as interviews and observations, and secondary sources, such as books. The basis for this research is the two historical Gale Bandara Devalas (Sinhala and Muslim) located in Kurunegala. Data were collected by selecting 20 data contributors under purposive sampling, including the Dewala’s priests, devotees, and local people. The Sinhala version of Gale Bandara’s legend emphasizes his royal lineage and tragic death, which ultimately leads to his deification. This version connects deeply with Sinhala Buddhist culture, portraying Gale Bandara as a protector deity with strong ties to the land and its people. In contrast, the Muslim version of the legend, while sharing some elements with the Sinhala narrative, emphasizes his Muslim heritage and the continuation of Islamic traditions through his veneration as a saint-like figure. The dual nature of Gale Bandara, rooted in both Sinhala and Muslim traditions, reflects a unique blend of cultural syncretism that transcends religious boundaries, offering a symbol of unity in a region often marked by religious and ethnic divisions. Although Muslims perform their worship in a monotheistic religious setting, it can be concluded from the research data that the Sri Lankan Muslim community has received influences from local worship practices, etc., prevalent in Sri Lankan society through cultural diffusion.