The Anatomy of Tausug Pagkawin in Zamboanga City: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Tausugs are one of the major indigenous groups in the Philippines and among the windows to their culture is through Pagkawin or their wedding rites. Pagkawin is one of the very few festivities celebrated within Tausug communities and families, either a short and simple or long and grandiose affair, depending on the agreed-upon setting by the Tausug families involved. The concentration of the population of the indigenous group from Sulu and its migration to different places in the Philippines have introduced elements or developments that may have influenced the structure of pagkawin that may be definitive or distinct in Zamboanga City. Three eligible participants were interviewed and chosen through purposive and convenience sampling, particularly Tausug women with long-term experiences with the cultural phenomena, and were interviewed with a semi-structured interview guide. In order to expand upon what little is known about the Tausug pagkawin practices in Zamboanga City, this study had been made an exploratory research and a qualitative descriptive method was employed in order to present data gathered from the participants as provided. It was found that the Tausug pagkawin in Zamboanga is structured objectively depending on the agreement between the families of both the bride. They practice pagkawin not strictly limited to nor fully observed in the order of: pagpangasawa, pagturul taymah, pagpayguh, pagpassal, solemnization of marriage by an imaam, and dum salaam. Tausug women were found to take the role of food preparations and planning for overall aesthetics of the pagkawin. Future research can conduct comparative studies of Tausug pagkawin in Zamboonga City with pagkawin as practiced in other localities or contexts or pursue further research on the narratives of Tausug women.