Sampeah

Sampeah (Khmer: សំពះ, sâmpeăh [sɑmˈpĕəh]) is a Cambodian greeting or a way of showing respect.

Pranāma or Namaste, the part of ancient Indian culture and rites has propagated to southeast Asia, which was part of indosphere of greater India, through the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism from India.

While performing the sampeah, the person places their palms together in a prayer-like fashion while bowing slightly.

When praying to the Buddha (who founded Buddhism in India), the person places their palms together close to their face and brings their hands toward the ground three times.

Just like Indian Añjali Mudrā namasté, it is also important when one Sampeahs to elders.

King Norodom Sihanouk greeting with a sampeah
A couple doing a sampeah