Kwita Izina also known as the world’s most famous naming ceremony, Kwita Izina is one of the events that has taken place in Rwanda for the last 21 years. In 2005, Rwanda began the naming of mountain gorillas, and with time it has become a global nature celebration, bringing so many tourists from across the globe to purposely attend the event. Kwita Izina is modeled off a centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends.
Kwita Izina means “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda by the Rwanda Development Board with the aim of celebrating the new baby gorillas born in Volcanoes National Park in order to raise awareness for conservation and thank local communities, trackers, vets, conservationists, and rangers. This is usually held at Kinigi, Musanze, on the foot of Volcanoes National Park. Over 460 mountain gorillas have been named over the last 21 editions.
Names are usually given by celebrities, rangers, conservationists, and community leaders who come from different areas around the globe. Each person naming the gorilla is given an opportunity to go on stage and announce the name and its meaning in Kinyarwanda. Part of the money generated through tourism goes to the community, which includes schools and health facilities built around the national parks.
Tourists and other people planning to take part in this naming ceremony are always encouraged to arrive as early as 7:00 am for a good seat. Would you like to take part in the next upcoming Kwita Izina ceremony in the land of a thousand hills? Look no further than booking with us a memorable safari of a lifetime with us at Kitu Afrika Safaris Limited
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