Southeast Asia’s many unique ways of greeting people fascinate visitors to the region, not least because they are a cultural trait that reflects respect and a sense of spirituality. Sadly though, while some are still popular, a few are almost no longer in use today.
“The Asian continent, especially the Southeast Asian region, is laden with interesting gestures. From the way we eat – with chopsticks or with bare hands – to the way we socialize and interact with other people, these gestures set us apart from the rest of the world while also bringing us closer together,” says Janice Ho, an expert on Asian Studies.
Respect and reverence
“In Japan, bowing is the most recognized traditional greeting. It involves the bending of the body and lowering of the head to convey reverence.
The degree to which you bend communicates your message. To say hello, the torso is bent from the hips 15 degrees; to honour someone superior or to greet a client, 30 degrees; to show deepest sorrow, respect or apologies, 45 degrees,” she explains.
“In india and Nepal, the “Namaste” is used as a sign or symbol of respect. It is similar to the praying gesture of folding hands together before an image of a deity. These forms of greeting date back several thousands of years, and have always been considered a sign of respect, humility, and reverence.”
Hand over heart
In predominantly Muslim Southeast Asian countries, like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, the hand-over-heart greeting is popular.
“It is a very meaningful gesture, symbolizing an outright profession of one’s acceptance of a person. The right hand is used in making this gesture as the left hand is associated with personal hygiene,” says Bai, a university professor.
This greeting is known in Malaysia as Salam Malaysia. “Flight attendants of Malaysia’s national carrier Malaysia Airlines do it to welcome passengers,” Bai notes, adding that it is also commonly used in the hospitality industry.
“Among Malay populations in Singapore, this is also quite a common greeting tradition.”
Ways of the wai
The Thai “wai” is considered by many as one of the most graceful gestures of greeting. It involves putting the palms together, holding them up to the middle of the chest, and slightly bending the head with the fingertips just touching the chin.
“The wai is usually offered to those in higher social standing and not to someone younger except when returning a wai,” explains Rati, an advertising executive.
“In order to convey a higher level of respect, the wai uses a deeper bowing of the head while placing the pressed hands at different levels: at chest level for a standard greeting; face level for a colleague, elder, or a superior; and hairline level for a monk.”
“For the King of Thailand, the citizens bow deeply and place their hands high, with the thumbs touching the top of their heads,” he further explained.
The wai is also common to Cambodia and Laos where it is called sampeah and nop respectively. It is also used in Myanmar although the hand is positioned differently and placed near the stomach instead of the chest.
“During the COVID pandemic, a World Health Organization (WHO) official suggested the adoption of the Thai wai as a form of greeting in the new normal,” Rati notes.
“Just recently, the Thai Cabinet has approved the wai gesture as part of the Thai national identity for greetings and expressions of respect.”
Other gestures are dying out
While the “wai” is still very much observed in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, there are also other hand greeting gestures in the region that are almost no longer practiced.
One example is the Philippines’ “mano”, which means “hand” in Spanish. It involves touching the back of the elder’s hand against one’s forehead.
“According to historians, this tradition began during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines when respect to Catholic priest was shown by kissing their hands,” said Pepito Rivera, a Filipino historian. “It was later adopted by Filipinos as a tradition of respect to parents and elders,” Pepito says.
The tradition has however become less prevalent in the country, especially in cities. “Younger generations are slowly replacing it with a kiss on the cheek known as “beso”, also a Spanish word, which means “kiss”.
It is sad that this old tradition has been altered into something more modern. It is important to continue practicing traditions rooted in our identity,” he laments.
Filipinos like Pepito are happy, at least, that there are still a few families who practice the tradition, although the “mano” gesture is now reserved for godparents and grandparents only.
This story is part of a series of articles about the vanishing cultural traditions in Southeast Asia.
