Rwanda stands out in the fight to protect and conserve mountain gorillas. The Kwita Izina ceremony is a remarkable example of this commitment. What is it, and what are the origins of this tradition? How does it work and when does it take place? Here's everything you need to know about Rwanda's baby gorilla naming ceremony.

What is the Kwita Izina ceremony in Rwanda?

Created in 2005, Kwita Izina is a gorilla naming ceremony. It consists of naming baby gorillas born in the previous year. Since its creation, over 400 mountain gorillas have been named at the ceremony.

Before the ceremony was established, mountain gorillas were already being named, but this was done anonymously by forest rangers and researchers. It was the renowned primatologist Dian Fossey who initiated this ritual to monitor and study the primates. Today, baby gorillas are named by celebrities and various prominent international figures.

Note:

Of course, the gorillas are not present at the event. Baby gorillas are presented through photographs.

Where does the Kwita Izina ceremony come from?

The baby gorilla naming ceremony is inspired by an ancient Rwandan tradition. Translating to "to name" or "to give a name" in Kinyarwanda, Kwita Izina is first and foremost a human tradition. When a baby is born, Rwandans gather with family, friends, and neighbors to present the newborn and welcome them. Everyone suggests names, and the parents ultimately choose one.

What is the purpose of the gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda?

The Kwita Izina ceremony has several objectives, here are the main ones:

Raising global awareness about mountain gorilla protection

Rwanda is among the world's best destinations for observing gorillas in their natural habitat. The country is one of the last strongholds of this primate, which is considered an endangered species due to multiple threats including habitat loss, conflict, and poaching.

Saving the mountain gorilla has become a global issue thanks to the monumental work of Dian Fossey, who founded the Karisoke Research Center, now known as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Through numerous conservation efforts, mountain gorillas are now the only primates in the world whose population is increasing. The mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Massif is estimated to have grown from 242 individuals in the 1980s to over 600 today.

As you can see, the primary objective of Kwita Izina is to promote and raise global awareness about mountain gorilla preservation. The event highlights the successes of conservation efforts and encourages their continuation in hopes of one day removing mountain gorillas from the endangered species list.

Facilitating gorilla monitoring and scientific research

The baby gorilla naming ceremony also aims to facilitate individual identification for better tracking, monitoring, and study. Since the Karisoke Research Center was founded, half of Rwanda's mountain gorilla families are protected and monitored daily by the center's trackers and scientists. At each annual ceremony, the names given to gorillas are added to the center's database.

Honoring all those involved in primate conservation

The ceremony is also an opportunity to recognize the remarkable work of the many teams working directly or indirectly to ensure the survival of mountain gorillas. It allows us to thank all individuals who work tirelessly within the park day and night, year-round. This includes veterinary teams, rangers, forest guards, trackers, research partners, and all environmental advocates.

Engaging, raising awareness, and thanking local communities

The event also engages and encourages communities to become conservation actors. The Volcanoes National Park implements revenue-sharing schemes from tourism activities such as gorilla trekking to reduce human-wildlife conflict and encourage local populations to feel invested in conservation projects.

As President Kagame stated at a previous ceremony:

"These successes could not have happened without the cooperation, understanding, and support of local communities. We have ensured that they benefit from this good cooperation they have demonstrated for many years. This has been very helpful in advancing our conservation cause as well as development."

Supporting local populations

Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda's gorillas, is part of the Tourism Revenue Sharing Program, which allocates 10% of national park tourism revenue to socio-economic projects for communities living nearby. Since 2005, 12.86 billion Rwandan francs have been used to fund 1,108 community projects such as potable water supply, health centers, and classrooms.

In this sense, the gorilla naming ceremony brings together local populations and demonstrates how gorillas are an essential driver of community development while also being part of exceptional natural heritage. To give you perspective, gorilla trekking tourism alone constitutes 1% of Rwanda's GDP.

One thing is certain: this ceremony underscores Rwanda's unwavering commitment to wildlife protection and its leadership in sustainable tourism.

Who participates in the ceremony?

In addition to the park's main stakeholders (forest rangers, scientific teams...) and local communities, the Kwita Izina ceremony brings together personalities from around the world, including ecologists and naturalists, researchers, members of international organizations such as UNESCO, politicians, and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) officials, as well as travel operators.

Celebrities are also invited to promote the event and capture global attention. For example, footballers Didier Drogba and Neymar have participated in a ceremony, as have comedian Kevin Hart, British science writer and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, actor Idris Elba OBE, and King Charles III (who attended the 2022 ceremony virtually).

How are baby gorillas named?

All baby gorillas receive names based on their stories and birth circumstances. In all cases, every name carries particular meaning and symbolism. For example, a gorilla was named "Macibiri" at the 2017 ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's founding. This name, which can be translated as "the woman who lives alone on the mountain," was given in honor of Dian Fossey, who was known by this nickname during her years living in Rwanda.

How long does the ceremony last?

The Kwita Izina ceremony takes place over one day, but numerous activities occur throughout the week. The program includes educational workshops, community projects, exhibitions, conferences, conservation and tourism debates, a gala dinner with fundraising, concerts, and Rwandan folklore performances (traditional music and dance), tournaments, and competitions...

Where does the Kwita Izina ceremony take place in Rwanda?

The Kwita Izina ceremony always takes place in Kinigi, at the foot of the Volcanoes National Park in the Musanze district in northern Rwanda.

When does the Kwita Izina ceremony take place in Rwanda?

It generally takes place in September, though the most recent edition was held on October 18, 2024. The 21st edition of Kwita Izina will be held on September 5, 2025.

For upcoming dates, keep an eye on the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) official website.
 

Are you looking to organize a trip to Rwanda and go gorilla trekking? Would you like to learn more about booking the Kwita Izina ceremony during your trip? Contact us!

In the meantime, discover everything you need to know to see mountain gorillas during a trip to Rwanda.