Sampeah

Sampeah (Cambodian greeting)

Sampeah(Khmer:សំពះ,sâmpeăh[sɑmˈpĕəh]) is aCambodiangreeting or a way of showing respect. Sampeah is based on theIndianAñjali Mudrāused innamasté.PranāmaorNamaste,the part of ancientIndian cultureand rites has propagated tosoutheast Asia,which was part ofindosphereofgreater India,through thespread of HinduismandBuddhismfrom India.

While performing the sampeah, the person places their palms together in a prayer-like fashion while bowing slightly. The word often spoken with the sampeah whengreetingsomebody isជម្រាបសួរchumréab suŏr(pronounced[cum.riəpsuə]), whileជម្រាបលាchumréab léa(pronounced[cum.riəpliə]) is spoken when saying goodbye.

Although the Sampeah is a form of greeting, it is also a common way to say thanks or apologize and is an important part ofKhmerculture which is heavily influenced byIndianHindu/Buddhistculture. There are different ways of bowing when performing the Sampeah. When praying to theBuddha(who foundedBuddhisminIndia), the person places their palms together close to their face and brings their hands toward the ground three times. Just likeIndianAñjali Mudrānamasté,it is also important when one Sampeahs to elders. The higher the hands and the lower the bow, the more respect is shown. It is a sign of respect and politeness.

See also

• Culture of Cambodia
• Culture of India
• Indian honorifics
• Sembah
• Wai
• Namasté
• Sembah