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 edition of the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony graced the world on Friday, September 1, 2023. Nestled on the serene foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District, this 2023 installment brought together the vibrant communities residing near the cherished home of the endangered mountain gorillas, culminating in the ultimate celebration of nature and conservation.

The ceremony was a joyous occasion dedicated to christening 23 baby mountain gorillas who had come into the world in the past year. This marked the continuation of a tradition that began in 2005, with a total of 374 baby gorillas having received names over the years.

This year’s distinguished namers, whose identities were revealed closer to the event, included prominent partners, conservation advocates, international and local luminaries, dignitaries, and friends of Rwanda.

The adorable infants belong to 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 vibrant celebration spotlighted Rwanda’s impressive conservation endeavors, notably the successful low volume, high-value approach to gorilla tourism, which has not only allowed the gorilla population to thrive but also enhanced the trekking experiences for visitors.

In the current tourism landscape, Rwanda has witnessed remarkable growth, generating $247 million in revenue during the first half of 2023, reflecting a substantial 56% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), expressed her excitement about the event, emphasizing the positive impacts on tourism, conservation, and community well-being. She also highlighted Rwanda’s diversification of tourism revenues, including efforts to promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) and sports tourism industries.

Additionally, the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Festival shed light on the Government of Rwanda’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of park communities through the Tourism Revenue Share Program. Initiated in 2005, this program ensures that 10% of all park revenues are reinvested in the surrounding communities. To date, over Rwf 10 billion (approximately US$ 9 million) has been channeled into more than 1,000 community-based projects surrounding national parks in Rwanda, including Akagera, Nyungwe, Volcanoes, and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks.

In the 2023 edition, RDB unveiled two community projects, a maternity unit, and a potato seed collection and conservation unit in Muganza Sector, Nyaruguru District, Southern Province, aimed at enhancing maternal healthcare and providing quality seeds to residents.

The festivities surrounding Kwita Izina also featured the Rhino Velo Race in Akagera National Park, familiarization tours for international tour operators and travel media across the country, and a captivating Kwita Izina concert.