#KwitaIzina2018 , Gorilla naming ceremonies in Rwanda!


Stage set for the big event.

                                                                          Whereas humans are identified and distinguished by their names, symbols, culture, and traditions, there is a need to recognize some of our closest relatives with names. 
In African traditions, it is at that moment that fire-place gathering that warmth and wisdom, families and societies get together and common values are passed onto future generations. 
This same manner can be sighted with The Kwita Izina Gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda, where hundreds of Rwandans, regional and international tourists converge each year to what is described as a "United Community" to demonstrate the shared values specifically on conservation of our close relatives, the critically endangered mountain gorillas. It is during this kind of special event that conservation meets sustainable tourism. this remarkable event gives some direction and guidance in Rwanda's tourism sector and the Great Lakes region at large.



Gorilla trekking is described as a lifetime experience, and it's through this special annual event that different societies from across the world meet to reflect on efforts that Rwandan government has put to save them from extinction. This event is one way to promote sustainability and also give a highlight of conservation values to the adjacent local community members. 
Usually the feeling and pride in our own natural resources lies in hearts of few people and this explains why stories of wildlife tourism in Africa is the main painful flashback especially with the way poaching and habitat loss have become the order of the day in African continent. Currently there are a fewer than 900 individuals of rare mountain gorillas that are left on earth and only thrive in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda


The Kwita Izina annual ceremony is an event that covers largely our shared humanity and not just a specific group of individuals in the society. This is the rarest event in primates life as stories and traditions are transferred from one generation to another and specifically on the ecosystems and wildlife given the fact given the fact that we have a lot in common.

On September 7th 2018, Kwita Izina event was held marking its 14th edition of gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda. This was conducted under the theme of "Conservation is Life" that entails Rwanda's focus on boosting awareness and maintain a sustainable biodiversity. 
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) targeted to promote domestic tourism where children (Rwandans) born on July 4th, and turning 15 years this year were given a chance to win a $1500 gorilla trekking permit to track gorillas in Volcanoes National park in November. This covered the dates when Rwanda was liberated as it coincided with the day when conservation struggle began. The RDB carried out a lottery draw to choose the lucky 100 winners.

Ms Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer at Rwanda Development Board, during the "Conversation on Conservation 2018".


In the past, the Kwita Izina ceremonies involved only naming a baby mountain gorilla. But since 2017, adult gorillas that had not been named before also get a chance to be named.

The Kwita Izina ceremonies began around 2005 and since then more than 239 baby gorillas have been given identities. This 2018 year, the event began on July 27th with several community projects to enhance community involvement and raise public awareness and its climax reached with the major event in Kinigi - Musanze on September 5th. There was also a two-day conservation and tourism exhibition between 4th and 5th September. The main event took place on September 7th on the foothills of volcanoes national park in Northern province.

"Conservation is Life" was the theme of the year.


In conclusion, the Kwita Izina Gorilla naming ceremony is the Rwanda's remarkable gorilla naming tradition that takes place each year. It is an important event in that it an understanding among various stakeholders on the role and value of conserving these critically endangered apes in the wild.


#KwitaIzina2018!


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