Recovering Historical Memory and Collective Knowledge: Strengthening Resilience in Ecuador’s Chota Valley in Response to Water Scarcity Challenges

This study examines the historical transitions, struggles, practices, and political participation related to irrigation water governance in Afro-Ecuadorian communities and their impact on redefining hydrosocial territories in the dry Chota Valley of the Ecuadorian Mira River Basin. In recent years, the shift in the region’s productive matrix has brought significant transformations to these territories. Using a case study approach, this research aims to recover historical memory about water access conditions through ancestral knowledge and collective rights. This effort presents a critical opportunity to protect the collective values of the Chota River and to recognize the intangible national heritage of this region in the face of water scarcity. The case study combines semi-structured interviews with community members and questions addressing the fairness and effectiveness of the current water governance system. Findings from community experiences across the Chota Valley suggest advocating changes to address inequalities and improving services for the local population, particularly during drought scenarios. The research employs qualitative methods, including bibliographic review, ethnographic data collection, and results validation.