Mountain Gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda referred to as Kwita Izina in Rwanda is an ancient tradition which involves holding a ceremony to name new born baby gorillas born in the past year. It was introduced in 2005 and is a uniquely Rwandan event to name new born gorilla babies. For the past 30 years before the first official gorilla naming ceremony, the park rangers & researchers named the baby gorillas as an important way of monitoring each one of them in their habitat or family group/family.

Mountain Gorillas are mainly found in Rwanda and Uganda, in Rwanda mountain gorillas live in the Volcanoes national park and the others in the Virunga Mountain ranges on the border with DRC while in Uganda they are mainly found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and mgahinga national park south western Uganda.

The Kwita Izina (Rwanda Gorilla Naming ceremony) has now become an annual event that hosts a week long program of activities every September initiated as a means of bringing to attention internationally the importance of protecting the endangered mountain gorillas. On a set date, invited guests converge at a silverback-shaped bamboo stage where they assign each baby gorilla with a carefully selected name according to the baby’s behavior and unique character.

Since its inception in 2005, the Gorilla Naming Ceremony about two hundred eighty one (281) gorilla babies have been named, on the 1st of September 2023

Beyond being a mere ceremony, Kwita Izina serves as a profound opportunity to express gratitude to the local communities residing near the gorilla habitat, Volcanoes National Park, as well as research collaborators, veterinarians, and the unwavering conservationists, rangers, and trackers who tirelessly safeguard the gorillas day in and day out.

Over the past fifteen years, more than 350 mountain gorillas have been lovingly christened with names. Today, Kwita Izina is an integral part of an ambitious strategy aimed at preserving Rwanda’s invaluable natural heritage and expanding the role of tourism in the nation’s transformation. As a direct result of this naming ceremony, Rwandans from all walks of life have come to comprehend the inherent value of gorillas and their substantial contribution to the country’s economic prosperity. Rwandans have proudly embraced the role of being guardians of these remarkable creatures.

Rwanda has, in the grander scheme of things, risen as a beacon of conservation and sustainable tourism on the African continent. For example, while the 2010 Census tallied 480 mountain gorillas, the 2016 Census reported a heartening count of 604 individuals in the Virunga Massif. These collective efforts have made significant strides in increasing the global mountain gorilla population to 1,063, effectively shifting their classification from critically endangered to a more secure status.

About the the 19th edition of the Kwita Izina Gorilla naming Ceremony held on September 1, 2023

The 19th Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony took place on September 1, 2023, at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District. This year’s event celebrated nature and conservation, uniting local communities near the mountain gorillas’ habitat.

The ceremony named 23 baby gorillas born over the past year, continuing a tradition started in 2005 that has named 374 gorillas to date. This year’s distinguished namers included conservation advocates, dignitaries, and local and international partners.

The infants hailed from the Agashya, Muhoza, Mutobo, Hirwa, Pablo, Ntambara, Dushishoze, Segasira, Isimbi, Musirikari, Kwitonda, Igisha, and Sabyinyo gorilla families.

The 2023 Kwita Izina Namers included:

1) Sol Campbell – Legendary Arsenal and England football icon.

2) Larry Green – Board Trustee of the African Wildlife Foundation.

3) Bernard Lama – Former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper and French football coach.

4) Joakim Noah – Former Chicago Bulls Center/Forward, and Lais Ribeiro – International Model.

5) Anders Holch Povlsen – Chief Executive Officer of Bestseller.

6) Dr. Özlem Türeci M.D. and Dr. Sierk Poetting – Representatives of BioNTech, pioneering a sustainable mRNA Vaccine Manufacturing Facility in Rwanda.

7) Audrey Azoulay – Director General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

8) Zurab Pololikashvili – Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

9) Jonathan Ledgard – British novelist and expert in advanced technology, nature, and risk in emerging markets.

10) Winston Duke – Tobagonian actor.

11) Kevin Hart – Renowned American comedian and actor (participating virtually).

12) Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP – Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, United Kingdom.

13) H.E. Hazza AlQahtani – United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda.

14) Cyrille Bolloré – Chief Executive Officer of Bolloré.

15) Idris Elba – Actor, musician, producer, and Sabrina Dhowre Elba – UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD, as well as a CEO, model, and activist.

16) Ineza Umuhoza Grace – Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Green Protector.

17) Innocent Dusabeyezu – Ranger in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

18) Danai Gurira – Actor, activist, and playwright.

19) Bukola Elemide, a.k.a. Aṣa – Award-winning Nigerian-French singer-songwriter.

20) Nick Stone – Lead Director of Wilderness.

21) Queen Kalimpinya – Rwandan Rally Car Driver and Gender Equality Advocate.

22) Joe Schoendorf – Silicon Valley Pioneer.

23) Elvine Ineza – Primary Six Student at Regina Pacis School in Musanze District.

This celebration highlighted Rwanda’s impressive conservation efforts, particularly its successful low-volume, high-value gorilla tourism approach, which has boosted both gorilla populations and visitor experiences.

In early 2023, Rwanda’s tourism revenue soared to $247 million, marking a 56% increase over 2022. Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), praised the event’s impact on tourism, conservation, and community well-being, and emphasized Rwanda’s focus on diversifying revenue through MICE and sports tourism.

The Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Festival underscored the government’s dedication to supporting park communities through the Tourism Revenue Share Program, which has invested over Rwf 10 billion (US$ 9 million) into 1,000+ community projects since 2005.

In 2023, RDB launched two new community projects: a maternity unit and a potato seed conservation facility in Muganza Sector, Southern Province. The festival also featured the Rhino Velo Race in Akagera National Park, familiarization tours for international operators, and a Kwita Izina concert.