Today, June 22, Rwandans will celebrate the birth of 12 baby gorillas at “Kwita Izina”, the annual naming ceremony to be held at the foothills of the Virunga mountains in Kinigi, Northern Rwanda.
The event will bring together more than 5000 residents of Musanze District and visitors from all over the world under the theme “Celebrating Nature, Empowering Communities.”
Acting CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Ms. Clare Akamanzi said that this year, RDB will recognise the community’s role in the conservation of the mountain gorillas as well as other protected species in all of Rwanda’s national parks:
“At the 2013 Kwita Izina, we will name 12 baby gorillas and one new gorilla family. We will also show our appreciation to all those who take care of them, including rangers and veterinary doctors as well as the surrounding communities who continue to play an indispensible role in protecting Rwanda’s rare mountain gorillas.
Rwanda’s community led conservation efforts have led to a 26.3% growth in the population of gorillas since 2003 and Kwita Izina has been key to this success.”
Kwita Izina this year is more than a one day event. Several exciting events were planned leading up to the big day.
These include the launch of a women’s community project near Nyungwe, a four-day touristic caravan from Kigali to Musanze as well as “Igitaramo”, a concert to be held Friday night at Ubworoherane stadium featuring Rwandan artists including Knowless, King James, Rafiki, Jay Polly, Tanzania’s Alikiba and Jamiaica’s Kevin Lyttle. All Kwita Izina activities are open to the public.
Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming babies soon after they are born.
In the nine years since the event was established, 161 gorillas have been named in a celebration of nature and the communities who protect the majestic mountain gorilla.
This year’s Kwita Izina has attracted over 460 international guests from different countries including Kenya, Guyana, Jamaica, Nigeria, India, Netherlands, US, Zambia and Uganda among others.
List of designated 2013 gorilla namers:
1. Mr. Rifai Taleb – Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
2. Isaiah Washington IV – American actor
3. Ms. Lieke van Lexmond – Dutch model, actress and TV presenter
4. Mr. Mark van Eeuwin – Dutch actor, TV and film producer
5. Cyprian Chitundu – Managing Director of ZESCO Limited, Zambia
6. Dr. Paula Kahumbu – Executive Director of the Kenya Land Conservation Trust and Wildlife Direct, and chairman of the Friends of Nairobi National Park
7. Mr. Paul Dalgleish – Director of Sales and Marketing – Middle East- African Continent- Marriott Hotels International, Inc
8. Jeffrey David Sachs – American economist and Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University
9. Mr. Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah Jr – Nigerian award winning actor
10. H.E. Kazuya Ogawa – Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda
11. Kidumu – Burundian musician based in Nairobi
12. Ms. Elizabeth Nyirakaragure – Rwandan veterinary officer who has worked at Volcanoes National Park for the past 25 years.
13. Ms. Chantal Nyiranyenzi – Rwandan farmer, member of Twisungane-Gatare Cooperative in Nyungwe, Southern Province since 2007
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