Cargo (English spelling) cargo

Japanese: カルゴ（英語表記）cargo

A general term for posts in the autonomous administrative and ritual organizations of indigenous villages in Central and South America. By occupying a designated post, a man becomes qualified to be a full villager. The role of a low-ranking administrative cargo begins as running errands for village officials, and at ritual ceremonies, he mainly does odd jobs for the church (priest). A man rises through the ranks of both administrative and ritual cargos, and those who have completed all roles are respected as elders and are exempt from village male duties. Cargos are characterized by one-sided service, represented by financial expenses and time commitments, and in particular they cover the costs of banquets, fireworks, and bands at various village festivals.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

中南米の原住民村落の自治的な行政･祭祀組織のポストの総称。男子は所定のポストを占めることで一人前の村民としての資格を得ていく。行政上の低いカルゴの役は村役の使い走りから始まり，祭祀では教会(司祭)の雑用が主である。一人の男は行政･祭祀両方のカルゴの間を階梯的に上昇していき，すべての役を務め上げた者が長老格として尊敬を集め，村の夫役を免除される。カルゴは金銭上の出費と時間的負担に代表される一方的奉仕にその特徴があり，ことに村のさまざまな祭りでの酒宴や花火･楽隊などの費用を負担する。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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