I have been working in the Highlands of Chiapas on and off for the last 2 and a half years and I am now certain that a standard manner of “sealing the deal” is to drink coke with the local authorities and comite members. In the 10 communities were we have requested and been granted permission to do research we either have been requested to buy several rejas de coca or we have had to offer them voluntarily as a way of paying our respects and express our gratitude.
It is undeniable that the repeated use of coke among the comites when they are holding their meetings is not a coincidence and has social significance. When we are doing interviews in households women offer us water or pozol such offering is done to provide some nourishment and hydration. However, men in institutional settings offer coca-cola.
In Canada Grande the reja is presented to the person that pays for it. After being presented, one of the less ranking comite members (maybe one of the youngsters that brought the coke) starts handing the coke out. First, a bottle is handed to the person that paid, then to the jefe de comites, next to highest ranking authorities (autoridades locales) and finally to the rest of the people that are present. In Canada Grande people start drinking until everyone has their coke and they say “salud”.
this is your new site. one thing at a time.