Why do people purchase fayuca in Monterrey’s tianguis?

Abstract

This article aims to show that the purchase of fayuca, or contraband, in the tianguis, or street markets, happens because it serves to sustain social ties and, particularly, the social practice of the family. The text uses the literature on social practices and consumption to make such a demonstration. The information comes from observations, dialogues, interviews and focus groups, conducted mainly with women who regularly attend the tianguis in Monterrey. The results show that people buy items to use in the elaboration and reproduction of social practices they consider important, and that for this the fayuca is highly functional because it is cheap, very accessible and abundant. The article is original because, unlike most of the literature on the informal economy, it focuses on consumption, although it does not cover the diversity of consumers who come to the market.