Kwita Izina 2024 | Rwanda’s Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony
Kwita Izina Rwanda which Rwanda’s annual baby gorilla naming ceremony is back and happening once again on 18th October 2024 at Kinigi in Musanze district. Kwita Izina in Rwandan local local language (Kinyarwanda) means “to give a name” and in ancient times in Rwanda Kwita Izina was an old tradition where members of a community gathered to give a new born baby in the community a name. Rwanda introduced this special annual event in 2005 that attracts thousands of locals, conservationists, visitors from across the world to participate in naming of the amazing baby gorillas born in Rwanda. The Kwita Izina story is an interesting one that focuses on the conservation of mountain gorillas while highlighting the need to protect the gorillas and the culture of the Rwandan people.
The Kwita Izina Date was announced and set by the Rwanda Development Board also known as RDB after carefuly planning and considering all necessary factors. Over the years the annual event has been an opportunity for Rwanda to celebrate the conservation efforts of key conservation partners, local communities, rangers, trackers and vets who are all doing commendable efforts to conserve the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. More than 350 mountain gorillas have been named in Rwanda over the last fifteen years.
In the previous year (2023) Rwanda received new births which included Inyenyeri’s child born in the Agashya Family, Intango’s son born in the Muhoza Family, Akarabo’s child born in the Hirwa Family and other births that have been registered by Volcanoes national park Rwanda. All the baby gorillas that were birthed were named in 2023 in a special Kwita Izina occasion that took place at the scenic foothills of Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
More on Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony
On the foothills of Virunga Mountains in Kinigi locals and international visitors have gathered over the years to witness the naming of Rwanda’s baby gorillas and attendees are seen dubbed in Kwita Izina branded shirts and apparel. The event is also graced by media and press documenting one of the world’s important conservation event, during which local musicians and visiting musicians perform for the audience. Kwiti Izina Rwanda is truly a moment for joy and celebration just like it was in the old times where the naming of a baby was not only a moment for celebration of new birth but also a moment of great joy for the parents and community. The naming ceremony is usually done by international and local distinguished celebrities and they are allowed to select names from the suggested group of names that the Kwita Izina team has provided, in instances where one suggests their own name it is then translated to local Rwandan language (Kinyarwanda).
Kwita Izina in Rwanda is an incredible conservation ceremony that has garnered publicity both locally and internationally and contributed heavily to conservation of mountain gorillas in the world. Key conservationists that have been promoting conservation of wildlife and mountain gorillas in the past and the present would be and are proud of what Rwanda’s conservation efforts. Kwita Izina has also been a great way for Rwanda to involve the locals in conservation as them participating in the ceremony helps them to appreciate the mountain gorillas and also feel a part of the conservation efforts going on. The event is also a celebration of mountain gorilla tourism which has been a source of livelihood for the Rwandan locals who work as lodge staff, park staff and tour guides in Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla Trekking Tours to the park are a great contribution to mountain gorilla tourism in Rwanda.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kwita Izina
One of the frequently asked questions is about the Kwita Izina 2024 date which we have mentioned above. Another question that often comes up is the Kwita Izina 2024 venue, the venue is Kinigi village in Musanze district. A question might also arise on if its possible to attend the event next year if at all one is not able to make it this year – Yes, you can attend Kwita Izina 2025. Its an annual event so it will definitely happen once again next year.
The Kwita Izina 2024 tickets for attendance can be purchased through the Rwanda Development Board(RDB) website – https://rdb.rw/. If you have any questions or inquiries about Kwita Izina or Rwanda you can always contact us at inf0@56africatours.com or call us at +257 782 251326 and one of our travel experts will get back to you. We look forward to another year of celebrating the majestic mountain gorillas!
