KINIGI, Rwanda – In a landmark celebration of conservation, Rwanda hosted the 20th edition of its famed Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony at Volcanoes National Park on Saturday. The event saw 40 baby mountain gorillas receive names, marking two decades of a community-driven initiative that has become a cornerstone of the country’s conservation efforts.
The ceremony was led by First Lady Jeannette Kagame and Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Nsengiyumva, underscoring the national importance of the event. They were joined by international guests, including Senegalese-Italian social media influencer Khaby Lame and renowned Burundian singer Khadja Nin, highlighting the global significance of Rwanda’s conservation work.
The Kwita Izina ceremony, modeled on the traditional Rwandan custom of naming a new-born child, has evolved into a major international event that celebrates the successful recovery of the endangered mountain gorilla population. The event serves to highlight the direct link between conservation, tourism revenue, and community development.
Funds generated from gorilla tourism have been strategically reinvested into local communities, financing the construction of schools, health centers, and other vital infrastructure. This community-centric approach has been pivotal to its success, incentivizing protection and even transforming former poachers into active guardians of the gorillas and their habitat.
The event was met with widespread praise online, with one user, David Toovey, calling it an “epic” conservation event and asking, “Is there any bigger or better conservation event in the world?”
The naming of the 40 new gorillas reinforces Rwanda’s strong commitment to biodiversity and sustainable development, showcasing a powerful model for how wildlife conservation and human prosperity can go hand-in-hand.
