Indigenous iTaukei People’s Perceptions of the Bulubulu Method of Resolving Intimate Partner Violence in Fiji

AUTHOR(S)
Anand Chand
Maureen Karan
David Mapuru
Jone Lako
Karalaini Tubuna
Culture

Using a restorative justice framework, this article examines the customary bulubulu practice for resolving intimate partner violence (IPV) in Fiji. The study adopts a mixed‑methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with a quantitative survey, to explore the perspectives of 226 iTaukei participants on the use of bulubulu in cases of partner violence. The findings indicate that decision‑making within the bulubulu process is dominated by elder male family members, while female survivors are rarely given an opportunity to voice their experiences. Women are often pressured to accept the outcomes of the process and to reconcile with their husbands or partners. The study further reveals a tension between communal rights and victims’ individual rights, with the customary approach frequently undermining women’s rights. Moreover, the findings suggest that, as a restorative justice mechanism, the bulubulu system tends to benefit the family, community, and clan more than the female survivor. This paper makes both empirical and theoretical contributions to the literature on restorative justice in Fiji and the wider Pacific region.

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Research Type(s)
Journal Article
March 16, 2026
Published in
2026
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