GORILLA NAMING CEREMONY IN RWANDA- Kwita Izina
This naming ceremony is also well-known as Kwita Izina which is an ancient inspiration from the Rwandan tradition of naming babies immediately after birth. During this ceremony, the infant Mountain gorillas that were born in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park during the previous year receive their names. This year’s ceremony will be the 18th edition and mainly aimed at joining all the communities living around the home of this gentle endangered mountain gorillas in the ultimate celebration of nature and conservation.
Kwita Izina will be held on 2nd September 2022 in Kinigi Rwanda, Musanze district home of the Gorillas. Mountain gorillas generate significant tourism revenue, providing direct economic benefits to communities. This ceremony is therefore an important one as it is an opportunity to thank the communities that live around the Volcanoes National Park, over the past years, several conservationists, research partners, RDB, rangers, visit Rwanda with Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain partners, other trekkers in conservation project have all taken part in gorilla naming and the journey has been awesomely beautiful for these critically endangered species.
Due the Covid -19 pandemic, the annual ceremony has been happening but virtually over the previous two years. This year’s edition however, will guarantee the safe return to the grounds, meet communities, all cerebrations to be held in -person. Over 20 infant mountain gorillas that were born in the Volcanoes National Park in the past 12 months are to be named on this year’s Kwita Izina event. The naming ceremony started in 2005 and around 354 baby gorillas have been lucky enough to get their names. We expect to have notable conservationists, international celebrities and great friends of Rwanda to take part in gorilla naming this year.
Speaking during the launch of this year’s Kwita Izina activities roadmap on 19 August, RDB Acting Chief Tourism Officer Ariella Kageruka said:
“We are excited to return to Kinigi this year for the 18th Kwita izina ceremony after holding it virtually for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year we celebrate the gains made in our conservation efforts, notably the increase in our gorilla population and the partners and communities who actively participate in the daily conservation and sustainability efforts to ensure a harmonious human-wildlife coexistence.” (By RDB website).
The event shall also present the ways by which the Government of Rwanda can advance the livelihoods of the communities living around the park without interrupting wildlife conservation through the Tourism Revenue Share Program. Be part of the ceremony as the majestic gorillas are celebrated and given value by naming which they undeniably deserve. Will you like to attend this or next year, our team will be happy to look for your invitation as our Guest. Get in touch with Hermosa Life Tours and Travel
