In Northern Peru, the people of the district of Corongo have developed a system of water management and historical memory called the Traditional System of Corongo's Water Judges.
This system is a way of organizing people. It is based on an ancient method of managing water that dates back to pre-Inca times. It is primarily aimed at supplying water fairly and sustainably, which is translated into proper land stewardship, which ensures the existence of water and land for future generations.
The judges are responsible for the management of water such as maintaining the canals and ensuring that they are conserved as well as organizing various festivals such as Easter, Three Kings, Carnivals, Holy Week, and San Pedro.
Water Judges System regulates the agricultural tasks of the people of Corongo, and the top authority is the water judge, who manages the water and organizes the main Corongo’s celebrations. A crucial component of Corongo's cultural identity and memory, it complies with the fundamental principles of solidarity, equity, and respect for the environment.
Water governance is enabled through ritual performance, which relates to the ancient lived and embodied relationship of the Coronguinos with the natural environment. Water Judges are part of the Coronguinos' natural resource governance system, as well as their communal identity and heritage. The current iteration of this system, along with the rituals that accompany it, date back to the nineteenth century and are a result of syncretic interactions that can be traced back millennia.
Families and communities transmit its importance and value to younger generations through dances that are connected to the city's system and are taught at all levels of education. One of the main values passed on is the connection between St Peter and water, and thus wellbeing and prosperity; children learn about this relationship either through participation in religious celebrations or through oral traditions.
Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra noted “Water is one of the resources the population is struggling to access as a result of climate change. Being recognized by UNESCO means that you contribute to educating humanity and that you have a successful system," he said. More important than the UNESCO award is the recognition of the tradition which is passed down from generation to generation, which is valuable and gives people a sense of pride."
According to the Peruvian leader, this successful model should be copied by all the country's water basins, to develop a flexible use of the natural resource for all Peruvians. And achieving this equitable and sustainable water provision is based on three fundamental principles: solidarity, equity, and respect for nature.