Rwanda: 23 Baby Gorillas Get Names
Blog | 3/09/23
All roads led to the foothills of Volcanoes National Park-in Kinigi Sector, Rwanda’s Musanze District to witness the iconic annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony -Kwita Izina, held on 1st September 2023. The 19th Kwita Izina edition was attended by thousands and saw 23 baby gorillas born in the last 12 months named. Babies are members of the Agashya, Muhoza, Mutobo, Hirwa, Pablo, Ntambara, Dushishoze, Segasira, Isimbi, Musirikari, Kwitonda, Igisha and Sabyinyo families.
Themed, “consistency, growth, and expansion,” the colorful event featured notable partners, conservationists, international and local celebrities, and friends of Rwanda. The list of namers included famous names like Sol Campbell – Arsenal and England legend, Larry Green – Board Trustee, African Wildlife Foundation, Bernard Lama – French football coach and former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, Joakim Noah – Former Chicago Bulls Centre/Forward and Lais Ribeiro – International Model among others. More about the namers ; https://rdb.rw/global-leaders-sports-legends-artists-and-conservation-champions-to-name-baby-mountain-gorillas-in-rwandas-kwita-izina-celebration/
Baby names carried great meaning about Rwanda’s culture and conservation values and journey. Names ranged from “Narame” translating to “Long Life, to “Mukundwa” which means “Beloved”. More about the names ; https://www.ktpress.rw/2023/09/kwita-izina-rwandas-baby-gorillas-get-names-from-world-celebrities/
The celebration showcased Rwanda’s conservation efforts that have enabled the gorilla population to thrive. At the event, Rwanda Development Board Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi said, “We are excited to return to Kinigi this year for the 19th Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming ceremony. This year we celebrate the gains made in our tourism and conservation efforts, notably the majestic mountain gorillas,”
“Last year, Rwanda’s gorilla tourism was the best performing segment, and the trend shows that 2023 is expected to grow further and take us beyond recovery and towards our national targets. This means the communities are benefiting more, tourists getting enhanced experiences and the gorilla populations are thriving thanks to all stakeholders who actively participate in their daily conservation,” added Akamanzi.
Current tourism figures show that Rwanda generated US$ 247 million in the first half of 2023, a 56% increase compared to $ 158 million in the same period in 2022.
The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony is modelled off a centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. For three decades before the first official gorilla naming ceremony, park rangers and researchers named Rwanda’s mountain gorilla babies to monitor each gorilla in their family and habitat. In total, 374 baby gorillas have been named since the first Kwita Izina was held in 2005.
