Rational Bourbons and Radical Comuneros
Many town-based civil practices helped bind comuneros to their town, most importantly mita duty and tribute payment, both organized by ayllu. Gathering for mita and paying tribute were highly ritualized events that frequently became contentious as comuneros challenged caciques. Libations were poured, feasts were shared, and masses were said to ask the saints to protect mita workers before they traveled to the Potosí silver mines. Tribute was paid twice a year, requiring the whole town to line up by ayllu so each adult male, and sometimes females, could come forward pay their tribute and share a cup of chicha. Other civil duties that helped bind comuneros to their towns included gathering for a padrón or census, the cabildo’s annual walking of the town borders (the mojones), carrying the royal mails, and annual elections for cabildo office. The cabildo had expanded to include alcaldes (officers) for each ayllu and annex.