What do David Attenborough, Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, Ronan Keating and Naomi Campbell all have in common? It turns out they’ve all been honoured with the opportunity to name a gorilla in Rwanda.

The ceremony is called Kwita Izina and is dedicated to naming newborn mountain gorillas. This annual event is inspired by the traditional Rwandan naming ceremony for human babies and takes place in Kinigi, near the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The ceremony aims to raise awareness about gorilla conservation and highlight Rwanda’s efforts in protecting these endangered animals.

During the event, notable individuals, conservationists, and celebrities are invited to name the baby gorillas born in the previous year. Each name often reflects the circumstances of the gorilla’s birth, the environment, or conservation hopes.

Kwita Izina has become an important part of Rwanda’s cultural and tourism calendar, drawing international attention to the country’s successful conservation initiatives. It also serves as a platform to discuss conservation strategies and celebrate the successes in protecting these animals. As one dignitary said last year: “Our gorillas are the custodians of the nature we truly cherish.”

What is the history and significance of Kwita Izina

The event is a wonderful celebration of glitz and glamour, heritage and life, that has been a highlight of Rwanda’s calendar since it began in 2005. Over the last 19 years, 397 mountain gorillas have been named.

Rwanda hosts this annual, week-long program of activities each September to raise awareness and funds for the ongoing protection of the country’s mountain gorillas and the expansion of their habitat. One of the world’s most respected forums for conservation and sustainable tourism, Kwita Izina includes a conference, workshops and the highlight – a naming ceremony for the gorillas born in the country’s Volcanoes National Park over the past year or so. Here, invited guests take to the huge, silverback-shaped bamboo stage and assign each gorilla with a carefully chosen name according to the baby’s behaviour and unique character traits, and which Rwandans believe will encourage good fortune and play a prominent role in shaping the infants’ futures.

The festivities – which include traditional music, dancing and performances from local students and artists – attract thousands of visitors each year, with conservationists, rangers and communities; international celebrities, dignitaries and the country’s President attending the ceremony near the town of Kinigi, at the foothills of the Virunga Massif.

Image: Baby gorilla Narame meaning ‘Long Life’, named by Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba. Sourced from Visit Rwanda for Kwita Izina ceremony

The impact of Kwita Izina on gorilla conservation

Rwanda’s conservation and responsible tourism initiatives – including a successful trekking program to see the gorillas in their forest home – benefit animals and people. It’s been estimated that an individual ‘habituated’ mountain gorilla can indirectly generate around $3 million during its lifetime from tourism income. Revenue from the sale of trekking permits to see the gorillas helps to support Volcanoes National Park, and three other protected wildlife reserves across the country. In addition, 10% of tourism revenue is shared with communities living around the park, and locals are employed as vets, researchers, trackers, porters and guides, while others work in safari lodges and camps.

There is much to be proud of. While all other great ape populations are in decline, mountain gorilla numbers are on the rise. Just 242 individuals were recorded in the Virunga Massif in the 1980s: now, over 600 roam the region. With a further 400 in Bwindi, the IUCN reclassified the species from ‘critically endangered’ to ‘endangered’ in 2018.

In 2016, naturalist Sir David Attenborough named a baby Inshungu, meaning ‘blessing’. In 2017, Dr Stoinski named Macibiri in tribute to Diane Fossey, whose Rwandan nickname was Nyiramacibiri, believed to roughly translate as ‘the woman who lives alone on the mountain’.

How to attend Kwita Izina

Would you like to attend this very unique celebration? Many tour operators offer packages that include attending Kwita Izina along with other tourism activities in Rwanda. Consider booking guided tours in Volcanoes National Park to enhance your experience. Gorilla trekking permits should be booked well in advance due to high demand. Take advantage of other tourist activities in the region, such as visiting the Musanze Caves, exploring Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, or visiting local cultural villages.

Image: Grant Thomas

Scintilla is offering more Rwanda trips than ever before. This fascinating country is as hospitable as it is beautiful and everything revolves around the incredible gorilla trekking experience. If you’d like to find out more about visiting Rwanda, please get in touch with us today.