Filipino Wedding Glossary › Pagkawin
Pagkawin
Pronunciation: pahg-KAH-win
Origin: Tausug term for the marriage ceremony itself, used alongside Nikah in Sulu Muslim communities
The Tausug word for the marriage ceremony, used in Sulu Muslim communities alongside the Arabic Nikah.
Pagkawin is the Tausug word for the marriage ceremony. In Sulu Muslim communities, it refers to the same event as the Arabic Nikah, framed in the local language.
The term covers both the contract phase (akad) and the broader ceremonial framing observed in Tausug practice. Specific rites and customs vary by family.
Using pagkawin alongside Nikah in Filipino-Muslim contexts honors local language; both terms are appropriate, with the choice often reflecting family or community preference.