What is Rwanda’s Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony?
One of the questions that one will likely ask when they hear Kwita Izina for the first time is what exactly is Kwita Izina and in this article we break down this monumental Rwanda ceremony;
What is Kwita Izina?
Kwita Izina is Rwanda’s annual baby gorilla naming ceremony that was started in 2005 with the aim of celebrating the conservation of mountain gorillas and highlighting the importance of community centered conservation. The annual event that happens near Volcanoes National Park welcomes a number of guests and dignitaries; these include international visitors. Community leaders, government leaders, conservation bodies, responsible tourism professionals, journalists and content creators among others.
The beauty about Kwita Izina is the massive participation and interest that the ceremony has gathered over the years which has highlighted why gorilla conservation should be a priority not just for Rwanda but also for the world at large.
What does Kwita Izina mean in local language?
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.
Kwita Izina is therefore a significant event for Rwandans because it highlights their traditions while celebrating their culture and history. The name Kwita Izina also signifies the importance of community and child birth in Rwanda’s society and it’s amazing that this connection was passed on to the baby gorillas born in Volcanoes National Park.
What happens at Kwita Izina?
So on the day of Kwita Izina, locals, international guests and other attendees gather at the grounds in the morning. Usually, media and press are on the grounds way before the first guests arrive so as to capture the moments happening at Kwita Izina. Speeches from different key leaders and conservationists are had as well as entertainment from local musicians.
The main highlight of the day is the gorilla naming ceremony which is done by selected distinguished guests and over the years this has included celebrities like Idris Elba and Kevin Hart. 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 dialect (Kinyarwanda). It is a wonderful busy day spent celebrating the conservation of the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Where does Kwita Izina happen?
Kwita Izina happens in Kinigi, Musanze district. The Kwita Izina grounds are near the Kinigi park headquarters, the starting point for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The grounds are within walking distance from the park head quarters and have large gorilla sculptures made out of local materials and a large green space for the ceremony. The grounds are large enough to accommodate guests and attendees of the ceremony.
Kwita Izina grounds
Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc National des Volcans is located in the North-west Rwanda in Musanze district where Kwita Izina happens. The park is known for the mountain gorilla trek and is the only place in Rwanda where you can see the mountain gorillas. The diverse national park covers an area 160 square kilometers and borders Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park also protects part of the Virunga ranges that are shared by three countries and on a clear day you can see the mountain peaks from the Kinigi park headquarters.
Guests with their ranger guides getting ready to start their gorilla trek in Volcanoes NP
In the days leading to the main event, a number of activities and celebrations happen in Kinigi and these include community exhibitions, community celebration concerts, film screenings of gorilla conservation stories and Namers gorilla trekking experience where they come face to face with these gentle primates in their natural habitat. Kwita Izina is a wonderful ceremony that has over the years highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to gorilla conservation and community centered conservation.
