kastom means traditional beliefs and values held, and culture practised, in modern times in Melanesia. It carries an Arena rating of 1407, earned across 47 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, kastom ranks #2,396 of 17,126 for Most Elegant Words, #4,486 of 17,104 for Most Storied Words, #4,871 of 17,149 for Most Exacting Words, #5,164 of 17,163 for Funniest Words.
kastom is pronounced /ˈkɑːstɒm/.
Why “kastom” is a great word
KASTOM — [Noun] The politically and spiritually charged body of traditional beliefs, values, and practices that forms the unwritten constitution of contemporary Melanesian societies. Borrowed from Bislama or Tok Pisin 'kastom', from English 'custom', ultimately from Latin 'consuetudo' ("habit, usage"). Unlike "custom" (a general term for any traditional practice) or "law" (a formal, codified system of rules), kastom is a living claim for sovereignty over land and social life. It is the exchange of shell-money to cement an alliance, the boundary marked by a coral stone, and the weight of an elder's silence in a meeting house—the past insisting, with quiet force, on its future.
Etymology
Borrowed from Bislama kastom or Tok Pisin kastom, both from English custom. Doublet of consuetude, costume, and custom.
noun
- Traditional beliefs and values held, and culture practised, in modern times in Melanesia.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- wantokism 53% match — The Melanesian cultural practice of relying on one's wantoks for any need, and of sharing the fruits of one's personal success with one's wantoks. vs kastom →
- tikanga 49% match — A custom, value or principle, especially of the Maori people. vs kastom →
- customary 47% match — In accordance with, or established by, custom or common usage. vs kastom →
- kawanatanga 46% match — governance; governorship vs kastom →
- consuetude 46% match — Custom, familiarity. vs kastom →
- adat 46% match — Traditional custom or law, in Islamic parts of Southeast Asia. vs kastom →
- custom 45% match — Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving. vs kastom →
- customariness 45% match — The state or quality of being customary. vs kastom →