Rwanda holds 21st Kwita Izina ceremony to name 22 baby mountain gorillas

Rwanda held its 21st annual Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze District, to name 22 baby mountain gorillas born over the past year. The event, themed ‘Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future’, serves as an international platform to celebrate the country’s wildlife conservation achievements.

Under the tradition of ‘giving a name’, the Rwanda Development Board selected prominent figures from various sectors—including business, sports, philanthropy, and public service—to name the infants. Notable participants included Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, who named a female gorilla ‘Ishakwe’ (meaning determination), and Dominic Barton, chairman of Rio Tinto, who named a male gorilla ‘Mukondo’ (meaning starting point).

The names chosen for the gorillas reflect values such as courage, unity, resilience, and leadership. Other names include ‘Shikama’ (stand strong), given by CAA Sports President Paul Danforth, and ‘Rugamba’ (fighter), given by Elsewedy Electric Chairman Sadek Elsewedy. The ceremony, attended by approximately 10,000 people, highlights the interconnectedness of protecting mountain gorillas and safeguarding the wider ecosystem.