Annual Gorillas Naming in Rwanda
Annual Gorillas Naming in Rwanda, Kwita Izina in Kinyarwanda language normally translated as naming ceremony that takes place in Rwanda every year in September and is usually done every year in September with the aim of helping to monitor each individual gorilla as well as their groups in their natural habitat. The Kwita Izina ceremony in Rwanda was started mainly to bring attention both locally and internationally about the importance of protecting the mountain gorillas together with their habitats in Volcanoes national park and the Virunga mountains. Kwita Izina normally happens after the birth of newborn baby gorilla. This is a 2-day event and mainly aims at gorilla conservation.
Gorilla Naming (Kwita Izina)
The Kwita Izina ceremony was established in 2005 and has of recent become a global celebration of nature mainly attracting tourists from all over the world. Gorilla naming ceremony dates back to the old traditions in the African setting where a child would be named in the presence of friends and family.
The naming ceremony brings together researchers, community members, veterinary doctors, rangers, trackers and conservationists who put in more effort to protect these endangered close relatives of man. A number of approximately 330 mountain gorillas have been named since the opening of the gorilla naming ceremony in 2005. Kwita Izina ceremony is considered a day of courage and hope as the surrounding communities of the Volcanoes national park are encouraged to put in more effort in protecting these endangered species.
It is also aimed at improving the livelihood of the surrounding communities together with supporting conservation. The Republic of Rwanda together with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) make sure every year in September a gorilla naming ceremony is held so as to create more awareness on the protection of the country’s mountain gorilla as well as expansion of their habitat.
Process of Kwita Izina Ceremony
Kwita Izina ceremony starts with a workshop, conference and this is followed by a highlight on the naming process. Invited guests are later invited to the silverback bamboo stage and assign chosen names to each gorilla infant mainly according to the gorilla behavior and characters which play an important role in the infant gorilla future.
Annual Gorillas Naming in Rwanda
Celebrations are followed by traditional dances, live performances from local artists and students, and a lot of visitors from around the world are present on this special day and it is always graced by the president of the Republic of Rwanda His Excellence Paul Kagame. All the infant mountain gorillas born in Volcanoes national park are named at the Kwita Izina ceremony every September. 10% of the revenue collected from Volcanoes national park benefits the local communities in a way that most locals are employed as game rangers, veterinary doctors, porters, trackers and guides, waiters and waitresses in hotels and camps in and outside the park. Kwita Izina does not necessarily look at raising funds on that day but also to teach the surrounding community as well as the visitors and tourists to celebrate the importance of Rwanda’s natural and cultural heritage.
