This paper presents an anthropological description of "compadrazgo" (cogodparenthood) as a sociocultural institution in a state owned sugar cane plantation in the southeastern part of the Dominican Republic. The enthnohistory of the compadrazgo cultural complex is outlined and the institution's roots in ancient Europe before its establishment in contemporary Latin America are described. In addition, relevant theoretical and ethnographic literature on compadrazgo is reviewed. It is concluded that: (1) compadrazgo in the community studied does not completely correspond with the model reported for the Dominican society at large, due to the distinctive subculture of rural cane workers; (2) intra class horizontal compadres' choice making in a single social class enclave need not imply a coincidence with reciprocal symmetry in the social exchange of the ensuing interpersonal relationships, since there are differences in expectations among the actors involved; (3) compadrazgo provides functional devices for social control, though its function in integrating ethnically dissimilar groups (Haitians and Dominicans, for example) is limited; (4) the maximization of compadres' selection is relative; and (5) compadrazgo operates in a systematic and normative fashion and deviations may be predicted and explained in terms of socioeconomic and cultural factors. (Author/GC)