Kwita Izina: Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Rwanda
Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming ceremony is an annual event carried out in Rwanda in every month of September at the headquarters of Volcanoes national park in Kinigi. This is one of the many activities that make gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda exceptional and unique experience. During this ceremony, a number of baby gorillas are given names the named babies are those ones born after the last naming. Each baby is given a different name based on the circumstance in which it was born, the future expectations and the location it was born. The purpose of gorilla naming is to ease the monitoring of each mountain gorilla in the national park. Rwanda is the only destination where gorillas and thousands of travelers both locals and international travel to Rwanda to witness this event. Also, the gorilla-naming ceremony is a platform through which Rwanda development board spreads the importance of gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation.
Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming ceremony attracts a high number of people both travelers, conservationists, researchers, and local people to enjoy this joyful moment. Last year over, 2000 people attended the event hence a great hope for a great number this year.
What to know about the Kwita Izina Ceremony
The Baby Gorilla Naming ceremony is known as ‘Kwita Izina’ which means ‘to give a name’ that’s why it is usually referred to as Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming is a conscious effort to not only raise awareness of the Gorillas in Rwanda but also to highlight Rwanda as an excellent tourist destination for Rwanda gorilla trekking. Celebrating the birth of Gorillas in Rwanda in their natural habitat is the main purpose behind this event, which is on its way to becoming one of the world’s premier tourist events in Rwanda besides Rwanda gorilla trekking. The theme of the 2007 event was ‘Caring for Wildlife concerns us all’. Every birth is a confirmation of a successful conservation and protection program, with the hope of one day removing the Mountain Gorilla off the endangered species list and make Rwanda gorilla trekking a stand-alone famous activity. The ceremony was held on the 30 June 2007 and saw 23 Gorillas being named. Rwanda is proud to be the first country to have a public Gorilla naming ceremony and intends to use this event to firstly, raise awareness at a national and international level to protect the few remaining Mountain Gorilla and promote Rwanda gorilla trekking , secondly, to announce the success of Rwanda’s conservation efforts of the Mountain Gorilla and thirdly, to attract tourists to the Kwita Izina ceremonies. In 2008 the central theme around the event was the message “working together for wildlife” and 20 Gorillas were named in the ceremony. In 2009 at the 5th Kwita Izina another 18 Gorillas were given names. In 2010, the United Nations declared that it was the International Year of the Gorilla and the ceremony gained much attention, with celebrities such as Prince Albert of Monaco attending. In 2011 the ceremony had become firmly entrenched as one of the premier events in the local’s calendar and over 7000 people turned out for the event. The 7th Gorilla naming ceremony was held at Kinigi / Musanze and 22 baby gorillas were named. There was live entertainment which showcased local culture. There were traditional drummers playing and local dancing. Dignitaries and celebrities who attended were dressed in traditional clothing. Community members involved in protecting the Gorillas, international celebrities and local dignitaries can all contribute to the naming of the Gorillas. People can adopt baby gorillas in the sense that they can contribute funds to helping protect that Gorilla. Many companies help name Gorillas after they have made a donation.
A Quick Tour through Past Kwita Izina Events
Quick Facts about Gorilla Naming ceremony (Kwita Izina)
Are Gorillas taken at the Kwita Izina Ceremony?
Let’s deal with this major misconception that confuses a lot of people. The baby gorillas are not taken to the Park headquarters, the Rwanda Development Board does not torture gorillas by bringing them to the event. Instead, you will get a photo list of little gorillas born that year. There will be dashes for names, and you can entertain yourself by making them up, however, the real thing is going to be done from the stage, by important personalities from around the globe.
How do I register to attend the Kwita Izina Event?
It is a free event with online registration. You will have to apply for your free ticket to Kwita Izina online (we will add the link for Kwita Izina 2019 when it becomes available), and that will be it.
How and at What time does Kwita Izina start?
This is massive, arrive early. It is an excellent idea to be at the site before 8 am. The best parking places and the best seats will still be available for you to grab. The entertainment begins early, you can meet many lovely people and thoroughly enjoy the informal side of Kwita Izina. Tens of thousands of people will join you later.
Are there important personalities and speeches?
Yes, the event is colorful. There are a number of speeches, IIn addition to famous singers and performers and top traditional dancing groups, there are of course a couple of people who are expected to say something. If you are lucky, you will hear President Kagame himself, and each of the gorilla name givers will explain her or his choice. It will help your focus if you can actually see the speakers in real life, instead of following the action on big screens.
How are Gorilla Names Picked?
Finally, gorilla names are actually a practical thing. After decades of conservation efforts, the number of mountain gorillas on this planet is bigger than 1,000 at last but that still calls for extreme attention to each and every individual! For example, there are specialized gorilla doctors taking care of their health… Professionals who work with gorillas use nose prints (peculiar wrinkles above nostrils) to know who is who.
Contact Albertine Tours for more details as to when to and how to prepare for the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony