Kastom

Kastom is a Melanesian term that denotes customary practice, social order, and traditional law. It refers to the set of norms, rules, and institutions that have governed many communities in the Pacific, particularly in Vanuatu and parts of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Kastom encompasses kinship and marriage rules, land tenure and resource use, ritual obligations, taboos, and the authority of traditional leaders.

Kastom authorities, such as chiefs or village councils, derive legitimacy from ancestry, communal consensus, and ritual office. They oversee dispute resolution, enforce community sanctions, and conduct ceremonies that mark life passages and important events. In some places, kastom law operates alongside state law, providing means of governance at the village level and addressing many day-to-day issues, especially in rural areas.

Historical evolution: The term gained prominence during colonial and post-colonial periods as communities navigated contact with Christians, schools, and governments. Today kastom is often celebrated as cultural heritage and a source of social cohesion, but it is also contested, with debates about gender equality, individual rights, and the power of internal leadership structures. Tourism and cultural revival movements have sometimes framed kastom as a display for visitors, raising questions about authenticity and exploitation.

Overall, kastom remains a dynamic, varied phenomenon that helps shape identities and local governance in Melanesian societies, while continuing to interact with external legal and political frameworks.