Annual kwita izina, Baby Gorilla Naming ceremony Rwanda 2024
The 20th annual Kwita Izina will be held on Friday, 18 October 2024. Baby gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda, “Kwita Izina”, celebrates nature, applauds the efforts of conservationists, and honors the communities living around the gorilla habitats. It showcases a sustainable approach to conservation efforts that have enabled the endangered mountain gorillas to thrive in their natural habitats.
“Kwita Izina” is in a traditional language of Rwanda(Kinyarwanda) meaning to “to give a name”. it is an act of naming a person or anything.
Kwita Izina is an old tradition in Rwanda’s culture where a family and a community come together to celebrate and give a name to a newly born baby in the community. In this way a baby would grow up being cared for and nurtured by the whole community.
Previously, like for three decades now before the first official baby gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda, it was all about the park rangers and researchers in volcanoes National park naming the newly born gorilla babies purposely for easy identification of each individual gorilla in its family group to monitor it’s growth.
In 2005, after the Rwanda Development board together with the government deciding on baby gorilla naming publicly to promote their conservation efforts ,Rwanda officially began naming them publicly, which has now become a global celebration of primates, wildlife, tourism and people who put in effort in conservation of nature across the world.
It is done annually, every September to officially name the baby gorillas who have been born with in that year and this year of 2024, the 20th annual Kwita Izina will be held on Friday, 18 October 2024, therefore don’t miss out.
During the ceremony, baby gorilla naming is always done by those people who have contributed anything in conservation of these endangered species in Rwanda and in the world at large.
The Kwita Izina, baby gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda, is used as a platform by the Rwanda Development board to share a lot of vital information to the world concerning mountain gorillas, tourism in Rwanda. Some of the vital information shared to the public during the baby gorilla naming event includes;
- Introducing baby gorillas born and mountain gorillas discovered with in that specific year to the public.
- Giving deep insights about the efforts that Rwanda is putting in to ensure conservation and protection of these endangered mountain gorillas.
- Highlighting updates about mountain gorilla conservation works that are taking place with in Volcanoes National park and the country at large.
- Promoting gorilla trekking globally.
- Appreciating communities living around gorilla habitats for their commitment towards mountain gorilla conservation.
- To appreciate the committee board that is contributing to ensure successful of the mountain gorilla conservation programs. Some of these members include the primatologist, Vets, conversationalists, research partners and the park team most especially the park guides and rangers protecting these endangered gorillas on daily basis.
350 mountain gorillas have been named for over 15years and today the baby gorilla naming ceremony is one of the powerful, ambitious strategies that Rwanda is using to preserve its natural heritage for generations.
Baby gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda is at the same time used to expand the tourism sector hence transforming the country at large. As a result of this ceremony, almost all of the Rwanda people now understand the values of mountain gorillas to the Eco-system and their contribution to the country’s economic system.
Rwanda has now emerged out as one of the top leading wildlife conservation country on the African continent witnessed by the number of mountain gorillas that are adding up every year in its habitats.
For example in 2010 wildlife census report, the park was documented to hold 480 mountain gorillas and in that of 2016,the numbers had increased to 604 individual endangered mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. The efforts that the country is putting in the conversation of mountain gorillas has led to an increase in their numbers world wide and they are no longer recognized as critically endangered.
Kwita Izina baby gorilla naming Cultural Festivities
Kwita Izina cultural festivities are celebrated annually in September right outside Volcanoes National Park, at the community grounds in Kinigi, Musaze district.
Kwita Izina baby gorilla naming ceremony is a week long celebration organized according to ancient customs and traditions as a way of creating more awareness and raising funds for conservation and protection of mountain gorillas hence leading to expansion of their natural habitats while at the same time celebrating a new life.
Kwita Izina, baby gorilla naming ceremony in Rwandais a new form of conservation that has started getting world wide recognition since the year of of it’s establishment.
The ceremony comes with exciting activities inclusive of work shops and conferences all about wildlife conservation practices.
The baby gorilla naming ceremony takes place on a big bamboo stage featured with a handcrafted large mountain gorilla and a baby gorilla to bring out the clear picture of the event. Names are carefully chosen by the participants depending on the the behaviors, the unique characters of the baby gorilla. Traditionally in Rwanda, it is believed that names given to the newly born are very powerful, capable of shaping the life of the infant gorilla.
Kwita Izina baby gorilla naming festivities are featured with traditional melodies, fascinating performances and dances all done by the Rwanda students and local artists.
The ceremony attracts thousands of locals and visitors world wide inclusive of the notables to the Virunga Massif near the town of Kinigi to be part of this grand festival.
When is Kwita Izina 2024
The annual Rwanda’s Kwita Izina 2024, is scheduled to take place on on Friday, 18 October 2024 at Kinigi, near Volcanoes National Park. This event celebrates the birth of newborn mountain gorillas in the gorilla natural habitats of Volcanoes National. It is a proof to Rwanda’s dedication to conservation efforts on the globe. The ceremony attracts international guests and locals alike therefore dont miss out on this coming thrilling 2024 gorilla naming ceremony.
How to Prepare for Rwanda’s Gorilla Naming Ceremony “Kwita Izina” 2024
Preparing for Kwita Izina 2024,Rwanda, involves a few steps to ensure that you have an enjoyable and unforgettable experience on that special day.Lets take you through onhow best you should get prepared on this upcoming thrilling event:
Plan Your Travel and Accommodation
Kwita Izina is now an international recognised ceremony which means that it attracts visitors from different parts of the world and the locals alike hence requiring you to secure your accomodations and transportation well in advance before the event date.
As most visitors trend to stay in lodges and hotels near the Volcanoes National Park specifically in Kiningi, Musaze because of the easy access they offer to the event, theaccomodations get booked out easily hence requiring you to book them in advance through your tour operator or their online reservation platforms.
Another thing, you need to ensurethat you have your Visas and other essential travel documents such as the passport well prepared and at hand to ensure that youdont miss outon this once in a lifetime event.
Event Registration and Tickets
There are several events that are associated with Kwita Izina such as the Gala Dinner and the Conservation Exhibition and may require registration or even tickets for individuals who would wish toparticipate or join them. thereforewe advise to always keep an open eye on official announcements from the Rwanda Development Board for clear details. you may also inquire from your tour operator.
Engage in Related Activities
While planning to attend the Kwita Izina 2024, you may also consider enhancing your experience by opting to go for other adventurous activities like Gorilla trekking in the volcanoes national park and exploring other nearby attractions such as the Musanze Caves, Buhanga Eco-Park, or Lake Kivu.
These activities can be done before of after the Kwita Izina festive depending on your convenience or schedule. please not that these will require permits which must be well booked in advance due to their high demand during this period most especially the gorilla trekking permits
Cultural and Conservation Knowledge
Kwita Izina is not just a gorilla naming ceremony but also a celebration of Rwanda’s conservation efforts. tTherefore it is important you learn about it, familiarize yourself with it for an immersive and enjoyable experience.
Pack Appropriately
As the event is held in September which is relatively rain month characterized with occasional showers and cool climate, it is important that you considerpacking warm clothes and awater gear. Considerdressing in layers so that you can easily alternate them basing on the weather inthe day. if you to participate in otheroutdoor adventurous activities like gorilla trekking, consider packing a pair of sturdy hiking boots as well.
Still foe the event, consider carrying a good digital camera to captturecaptivating moments, sunscreen creams and glasses for an enjoyable experience.