Filipino Wedding Glossary › Walima
Walima
Pronunciation: WAH-lee-mah
Origin: Arabic, Islamic post-marriage celebration observed across Filipino-Muslim communities
The celebratory feast hosted after the Nikah, where the marriage is announced to the wider community.
Walima is the feast that follows the Nikah. It is the public celebration of the marriage, hosted by the groom's family in many traditions, though arrangements vary.
Guest counts can range from intimate family gatherings to community-wide feasts. Filipino-Muslim Walima often features halal cuisine, kanduli-style abundance, and music or kulintang ensembles depending on the community.
Whether the Walima happens on the same day as the Nikah or as a separate event is up to the couple and their families.