“Kwita Izina” from is derived from its original concept and definition in the Rwandan culture–a respected child naming ceremony.
Traditionally the child’s name was given by the father, clan members, friends and well wishers. Names were carefully chosen in order to avoid any kind of discomfort for the child when grown up and they had to have a meaning.
From that ceremony rose a big event also called “kwita izina”. This one is not about naming children but baby mountain gorillas.
In one of the most beautiful, magnificent and majestic places in Rwanda, in the Virunga Mountains situated in the Northern Province of the country where six Volcanoes form a chain is a mountain forest, home to the Mountain Gorillas.
They used to be in danger, they were killed, their territory was invaded and as time passed by they reduced in number.
In 1925, a measure was taken by creating the Volcanoes National Park which was the first national park to be created in Africa. Its creation was majorly to avoid or even stop poaching and other kinds of invasions.
Today, mountain gorillas live freely and have multiplied thanks to national conservation efforts, local population and also the support from the international community.
Through the years, Rwanda has been working tirelessly promoting conservation of gorillas as well as keeping the ecosystem that provide life and support to both humans and gorillas.
Kwita Izina event has been existent for 8 years now and happens annually. It is a big event because local big personalities are present, international personalities are also invited to attend.
The names given to baby Gorillas are from the big personalities present on that day. Some names are given according to the gorilla’s behavior or character.
The gorillas live in groups and in different parts of the mountain, this is to let them feel free to use their territory as they wish, to live in families and clans and also for the conservation authorities to easily control and take care of them.
Mountain Gorillas are not very numerous worldwide and they are very wonderful creatures genetically close to humans at 98% of DNA smillarity.
Celebrating their existence and caring for them by naming them is the least thing we can do.
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