What is Kwita Izina?

The ceremony of giving a new born baby commonly known as “Kwita Izina” has been part of the Rwandan tradition for centuries. This ceremony has also been used for past 3 decades now to give names to new born gorillas. The name attributed to the gorillas play a great part in the program of monitoring of each individual and Gorilla groups in its habitat. Since it started, the gorilla naming ceremony has been essential to Tourism and Conservation as well as its partners. The goal of Kwita Izina is to raise awareness at the national and international level about the protection of the mountain gorillas and their habitat.

The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony has received thousands of international, regional and local visitors to its Virunga mountains ranges to visit the endangered mountain gorillas. For decades, international conservation organizations, donors and concerned individuals have made substantial resources available to the gorilla conservation cause and continue to do so. Each year the new born gorillas are celebrated in an exciting event at the foot of the Virunga Mountains.

Previous Themes

2005: ensure the future of the mountain gorillas of Rwanda – 30 gorillas named.

2006: recognize the role of the international tourists who selected Rwanda as destination – 12 gorillas named.

2007: caring for wildlife concerns us all – 23 gorillas named.

2008: working together to conserve our wildlife – 20 gorillas named.

2009:celebrating the year of the gorilla – 18 gorillas named.

2010: many species, one planet, one future – 14 gorillas named.

Accomplishments

RDB has used this event to raise much needed through their adoption program that ensures they can finance initiatives that help them deliver on their promises to protect the mountain gorilla and achieve their mission to remove  them off list of the endangered species. Individuals and corporate companies contributed for;

  • Sabyinyo Community Lodge (SACOLA) costed USD1.2 million is now operational and will be launched during this year June Kwita Izina week.
  • 10 water tanks were constructed
  • 2 schools were constructed and equipped
  • Community commercial shop complex in progress in Kinigi
  • PNV buffalo wall completed
  • A ten community projects were supported- Ex poachers association.

Who has attended Kwita Izina?

Since its launch in 2005, Kwita Izina has attracted guests from all over the world. Many leading personalities have taken part in naming the baby gorillas that were born in the previous year.

H.E. President Paul Kagame and Mrs. Kagame launched the event in 2005 by naming the first mountain twin gorillas ever survived in the world. Since then many others have come including Hollywood Star Nathalie Cotman, Renowned America conservationist Jack Hanna, many international media personalities and business leaders.