kawin

Kawin is a term used in Indonesian and Malay languages to denote the act of marriage or the act of marrying. It is commonly used to refer to the legal union between partners, as well as to the cultural or religious ceremonies surrounding marriage. In everyday language, kawin is often synonymous with perkawinan (the general term for marriage) and nikah (the Islamic contract), though nikah specifically refers to the religious contract within Islam.

In Malay-speaking communities, kawin is typically followed by a ceremonial contract called akad nikah for Muslims. The contract is usually performed in the presence of witnesses and, in many cases, a guardian (wali). Civil registration may be required to confer legal status on the marriage beyond the religious ceremony. Among non-Muslims, marriages are generally registered with civil authorities, and separate religious or ethnic ceremonies may take place.

Legal frameworks differ by country. In Indonesia, marriage is governed by civil and religious law; Muslim marriages are often conducted as akad nikah and then registered to obtain a marriage certificate, while non-Muslim marriages are typically registered under civil law. In Malaysia, Muslims are subject to Islamic family law administered by state or federal religious authorities, whereas non-Muslims register their marriages under civil law.

The term kawin thus encompasses both the social act of marrying and the set of rites that accompany it, varying by religion, culture, and legal system. See also nikah, pernikahan, and marriage law.