- Mano (gesture)
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Mano or Mano Po is a gesture used in Filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to elders. Similar to hand-kissing, the person giving the greeting bows towards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or head forehead on the elder's hand. Usually performed with the right hand, the person showing respect may ask Mano po to the elder in order to ask permission to initiate the gesture. Typically someone may mano to his or her older relatives upon entry into their home or upon seeing them.
Origin
A possible origin of the Filipino tradition is from the hand kiss offered to priests dating to the arrival of the Spanish in the Philippines. Etymologically mano is the Spanish word for hand.
References
Categories:- Gestures
- Greetings
- Tagalog words and phrases
- Philippine culture
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