19th Edition 2023 Kwita Inzina Gorilla Naming Festive in Rwanda

19^th Edition 2023 Kwita Inzina Gorilla Naming Festive in Rwanda: Get ready to experience one of the world’s most important natural celebrations and to meet Rwanda’s newborn baby gorillas. On September 1st, 2023, the 19th edition of Kwita Izina, also known as the ‘Gorilla Naming Festive’ in Rwanda, will be held to highlight the country’s dedication to sustainable and responsible tourism.

Kwita Izina is inspired by a centuries-old Rwandan tradition in which children are named in front of family and friends. Rwanda began publicly naming mountain gorillas in 2005, in what has become a global celebration of nature.

By naming these amazing wildlife, we give them the unquestionable importance they deserve. The celebration is an opportunity to thank the locals, our research partners, veterinarians, and the dedicated conservationists, rangers, and trackers who work to protect the gorillas. To honor the arrival of children, Rwanda has a charming culture of naming rites.

Every year, at the Kwita Izina ritual, a week-long event held in September, this tradition is recalled. The event is rich in historical traditions and cultural significance. Its goal is to generate awareness and funds for the conservation and growth of the country’s mountain gorilla habitats. It’s a great way to celebrate new life while also helping these magnificent Great Apes survive.

Kwita Izina has been a well-known model of conservation and sustainable tourism since its start by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in 2005. The festival will include a number of intriguing events, such as talks, workshops, and the much-anticipated gorilla naming ceremony. The naming ceremony, which takes place on a bamboo platform shaped like a gorgeous silverback gorilla, is one of the most important activities of the festival.

During this major ceremony, the gorillas born the previous year in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are given carefully picked names. Participants carefully select these names to correspond with the young gorillas’ specific behaviors and personality traits. Rwandans believe that these names hold extraordinary power, capable of granting blessings and determining the fates of these cherished infants.

What to expect at the 19^th edition 2023 Kwita Inzina Festival in Rwanda?

Kwita Izina’s festivities are an incredible combination of traditional music, interesting dances, and vibrant performances by local artists and students. Thousands of people from conservation circles, ranger teams, communities, international celebrities, dignitaries, and even the country’s President assemble in Kinigi, nestled in the Virunga Massif, to witness this remarkable occurrence.

Kwita Izina is fundamental in promoting conservation and collecting finances through ticket sales. It is a rallying cry for Rwandans to enjoy their innate connection to environment while also protecting their rich cultural heritage.

Over 370 newborn gorillas have been named during Rwanda’s annual Kwita Izina ceremony since 2005, signifying Rwanda’s distinct traditions and cultural background while also invoking blessings and protection. In Rwanda, names are incredibly important since they are regarded to define a newborn’s character and future.

Kwita Izina symbolizes Rwanda’s collective future vision and the country’s common cultural objectives. Each baby gorilla born at Kwita Izina converts statistics into colorful lives that are valued not just by their family but also by Rwanda and the global community.

Every Rwandan heart leaps with pride as the event highlights the government’s and people’s valiant efforts to save mountain gorillas. Rwanda’s continuous commitment to and leadership in sustainable tourism is a beacon of hope in a landscape barren of success stories in conservation.

The Virungas, home to the critically endangered mountain gorilla, is one of the animals’ last two strongholds. Dian Fossey’s pioneering gorilla research, which led to the establishment of the Karisoke research Center, are highly recognized in the region. Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International today collaborates with the Rwandan government to continue Fossey’s legacy through educational initiatives, park ranger assistance, and community-based activities.

The Virunga Massif mountain gorilla population has increased from 242 individuals in the 1980s to over 625 individuals now as a result of this conservation project.

By implementing sustainable tourist practices, Rwanda’s dedication to conservation and responsible tourism has helped not just the gorillas but also the local population. The trekking program, which allows visitors to observe gorillas in their natural habitat, has been a significant source of revenue for the region.

19th Edition 2023 Kwita Inzina Gorilla Naming Festive in Rwanda — Kwita Izina

A “habituated” mountain gorilla may make approximately $3 million in tourism money over the course of its life. These contributions help to conserve Volcanoes National Park and other Rwandan protected places. Furthermore, 10% of tourism revenue is allocated to neighboring communities to encourage active participation and collaboration.

The success of Rwanda’s conservation efforts is most obvious in the Kwita Izina rite, which commemorates the mountain gorilla population’s transition from “critically endangered” to “endangered.”

Here are some interesting facts about the Kwita Izina Festival in Rwanda;

Kwita Izina is a long-standing Rwandan tradition in which relatives and friends gather to name their babies.
Kwita Izina translates to “naming” in Kinyarwanda.
Kwita Izina is held every September on the community grounds in Kinigi, Musanze District, just outside Volcanoes National Park, northwest of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.
At the Kwita Izina celebration, baby mountain gorillas born in Volcanoes National Park the previous year are named.
Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Festival in Rwanda was founded in 2005.
Approximately 370 mountain gorillas have been named during the Kwita Izina event since 2005.
The Kwita Izina event allows the Rwanda Development Board to thank the surrounding community, as well as research partners, veterinarians, and committed conservationists, rangers, and trackers who work tirelessly to conserve the gorillas.
It is believed that there are 1,063 mountain gorillas in the globe. These critically endangered mammals are only found in three East African countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where they are spread throughout four national parks.
Mountain gorillas contribute significantly to tourism revenue, which benefits local communities and helps to fund conservation initiatives.
Over the course of its life, a “habituated” mountain gorilla, or one that is acclimated to human visitors, may earn roughly $3 million in tourism revenue.

In conclusion, visiting Rwanda in September and participating in the Kwita Izina ritual, as well as gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, might be a fantastic experience. The festival is filled with joy, music, dancing, and celebration, showcasing nature’s beauty and community resiliency.