What's a "Waaler"?

The publication revolves around a profession that is strongly linked to the Vinschgau valley (South Tyrol). Vinschgau is known as a very dry area, with an annual rainfall of 500 millimeters, a quantity comparable to certain areas of Sicily. Despite this, an irrigation system was developed to ensure crop yields. Over time, an irrigation network has developed that is one of the most comprehensive in the Alps. Until a few years ago more than 200 canals were in use for irrigation. The main branches alone have a length of 600 km. A large number of irrigation channels still bring water to remote meadows and fields. For the maintenance of the canals and distribution of water, the so-called “Waaler” was employed. These were mostly people with a disability, who were too weak to perform a trade. Around 1950, the first artificial irrigation systems were built in Vinschgau. Due to the mechanization of agriculture, the “Waaler” profession as it used to be disappears.