This is considered a moral and spiritual duty. For the farmers who work to earn subsistance, this term is a great expense which must be prepared for by careful savings. Farmers who are more wealthy are able to buy higher positions in the administration. This gains them greater respect in the community, as well as benefitting them spiritually. There is little communication between townships.
Townships represent independent units of economy and culture.
In very rare circumstances, an Indian is transplanted in another township, but instead of blurring differences, the Indian usually adopts completely the styles of its new home, including the religion. The Ladinos are native speakers of Spanish, and while they, too, are agrarians, they are also more apt to be educated, and are more aware of the existence of the rest of Mexico. The Indians trade very little with the outside world, but what trade does go on is managed by the Ladinos, who export the raw produce of the Indians and import manufactured goods. From small to large unit, a degree of unity is lost. In the household, everything is shared.