Salamat Tote Bag

This word is shared in both the Arab language and many Filipino languages (including Tagalog, Cebuano and Hiligaynon). The Arabic meaning is “Greetings" and the Filipino meaning is "Thank You.” The root of the Arab word is Salam, which means peace and also hello (like “Shalom" in Hebrew). The Filipino root most likely comes from the Semitic root S-L-M (Shin-Lamedh-Mem) due to the Arabs who roamed the area. Shin-Lamedh-Mem is the root of many Semitic words which translates to “whole, safe, intact”; it also means “to be safe, secure, at peace”, hence “well-being, health” and “to be secured, pacified, submitted.” This design is an honouring of these interweaving meanings.