As with previous mesoamerican and andean cultures, the central social expression of the system of reciprocity was the

As with previous Mesoamerican and Andean cultures the central social expression of the system of reciprocity was the communal feast. Even if reciprocity was set in concepts of equality and balance, in practice the redistribution of commodities involved uneven redistribution by elders. Thus, the elders received the agricultural and textile products and accountable for their redistribution on behalf of the community as a whole. Most specially in more complex level of social organization the elders kept back portions for the large feasts and festival that is provided as part of the community obligation and to underwrite authority.