Traditional system of Corongo’s water judges (Peru)
Nomination: Representative List 2017
EN: The city of Corongo located in the department of Ancash in northern Peru is home of the traditional system of water judges since pre-Hispanic times
EN: At the beginning of the year, the water judges and their wives from the two farm sectors of Corongo take an oath before they undertake to discharge their duties all year long
EN: Each water judge leads the people in their moiety to clean water reservoirs and canals that irrigate the farm lands
EN: As a token of devotion and authority, the water judges bear all year long a wooden rod with the image of the patron St. Peter
EN: Each year the authorities of the system of water judges are responsible for properly managing water. The devotion to St. Peter is one of the cornerstones of Corongo's identity and the system's as well
EN: Pallas is a traditional dance of Corongo in which women and girls dance in honor of St. Pater. This dance is part of the celebrations promoted by the water judges
EN: Panataguas is a representative dance of Corongo and, like the Pallas, is related to the city's history. This dance in honor of St. Peter is staged by the cabecillas who, as a part of the system, assist the water judge
EN: One of the main duties of the water judge is to organize the Feast of St. Peter, the city's patron saint. The water judges lead all the celebrations related to the patron saint
EN: Every day the campos are in charge of equally distributing water among the district's users: to that aim they handle the valves of the irrigation and reservoir canals
EN: Both of the two farm sectors of Corongo shelter large water reservoirs. The water judges are responsible for the yearly cleaning and maintenance of these reservoirs
