The event will be covered by Rwanda Television and livestreamed on YouTube.

This year’s namers will include notable partners, conservationists, international celebrities, dignitaries and friends of Rwanda but their names have not yet been disclosed.

Ahead of the event, organizers of Kwita Izina ceremony launched an online contest during which participating youth had to select one of two provided names for a baby gorilla.

During the contest launched on 16th September 2021 via Kwita Izina Twitter handle, the youth were requested to pick one of two names for a baby gorilla. The two names include ‘Kabeho’ (Live Long) and ‘Mudasumbwa’ (Outstanding).

Winners will receive jerseys of Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain, two teams on the European that entered partnership with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to market Rwanda’s tourism.

The contest was closed in the night of Friday 17th September 2021 around 11:59.

IGIHE has learnt that 30 participants were selected and started receiving their jerseys on Monday 20th September 2021.

During Kwita Izina ceremony , Rwanda will join the rest of the world to mark World Gorilla Day, the day renowned gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda in 1967. It is a day that encourages people around the globe to celebrate conservation of the mountain gorillas and honour those who protect them daily in their habitat.

The virtual ceremony will feature updates on Rwanda’s conservation efforts including the population growth of the mountain gorillas and the need to expand their habitat, and community support to improve community livelihoods while enabling wildlife conservation.

The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony reflects centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. For three decades before the first official gorilla naming ceremony, park rangers and researchers named Rwanda’s mountain gorilla babies to monitor each gorilla in their family and habitat.

In 2005, Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in what has become a global celebration of nature. By giving a name to these majestic animals, they are given the value they undoubtedly deserve.

The ceremony is also an opportunity to thank the communities that live around the gorilla habitat, Volcanoes National Park, research partners, vets and the dedicated conservationists, rangers and trackers who protect the gorillas daily.

Since 2005, a total of Rwf6.5 billion have been pumped into 780 projects in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, education, provision of decent shelters for vulnerable residents, building health centers, promoting livestock farming, beekeeping and crafts among others.

Despite unprecedented effects occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic, Rwf700 million were invested in 30 projects in the areas of infrastructure and agriculture this year.
Rwanda’s tourism sector earned US$121 million in 2020 down from US$498 of 2019.

Over the last sixteen years, 328 mountain gorillas have been named. Today, Kwita Izina forms part of an ambitious strategy to preserve Rwanda’s natural heritage and further expand the role of tourism in the country’s transformation. As a result of the naming ceremony, Rwandans from all walks of life understand the intrinsic value of gorillas and their contribution to the country’s development.

Below is the list of baby gorillas to be named during the upcoming event:

1. Africa’s Son (Isimbi Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 3th January 2021 to mother Africa from the Isimbi family of mountain gorillas.

2.Ejoheza’s Son (Isimbi Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 6 January 2021 to mother Ejoheza from the Isimbi family of mountain gorillas.

3. Ijambo’s Son (Igisha Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 11 December 2020 to mother Ijambo from the Igisha family of mountain gorillas.

4. Ikaze’s Daughter (Musilikale Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 6 February 2021 to mother Ikaze from the Musilikale family of mountain gorillas.

5. Impano’s Son (Igisha Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 8 January 2021 to mother Impano from the Igisha family of mountain gorillas.

6. Inkubito’s Son (Muhoza Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 7 January 2021 to mother Inkubito from the Muhoza family of mountain gorillas.

7. Ishema’s Son (Pablo Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 12 July 2021 to mother Ishema from the Pablo family of mountain gorillas.

8. Kubana’s Daughter (Kureba Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 12 December 2020 to mother Kubana from the Kureba family of mountain gorillas.

9. Kurudi’s Daughter (Titus Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 18 April 2021 to mother Kurudi from the Titus family of mountain gorillas.

10. Magayane’s Son (Hirwa Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 27 June 2021 to mother Magayane from the Hirwa family of mountain gorillas.

11.Munezero’s Son (Agashya Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 14 June 2021 to mother Munezero from the Agashya family of mountain gorillas.

12. Nchili’s Daughter (Kwitonda Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 29 August 2020 to mother Nchili from the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas.

13. Ndimubanzi’s Daughter (Kwitonda Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 20 August 2020 to mother Ndimubanzi from the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas.

14. Nezerwa’s Daughter (Amahoro Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 18 June 2021 to mother Nezerwa from the Amahoro family of mountain gorillas.

15. Nzeli’s Son (Kureba Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 13 November 2020 to mother Nzeli from the Kureba family of mountain gorillas.

16. Okapi’s Daughter (Kwitonda Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 1 January 2020 to mother Okapi from the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas.

17. Rugira’s Son (Musilikale Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 30 July 2020 to mother Rugira from the Musilikare family of mountain gorillas.

18. Tegereza’s Son (Ntambara Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 24 December 2020 to mother Tegereza from the Ntambara family of mountain gorillas.

19. Turiho’s Son (Muhoza Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 26 February 2021 to mother Turiho from the Muhoza family of mountain gorillas.

20. Umoja’s Daughter (Hirwa Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 18 December 2020 to mother Umoja from the Hirwa family of mountain gorillas.

21. Umujyanama’s Daughter (Pablo Family)

This female baby gorilla was born on 9 February 2021 to mother Umujyanama from the Pablo family of mountain gorillas.

22. Ururabo’s Son ( Igisha Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 6 July 2021 to mother Ururabo from the Igisha family of mountain gorillas.

23. Karema’s Son (Sabyinyo Family)

This male baby gorilla was born on 25 January 2021 to mother Karema from the Sabyinyo family of mountain gorillas.

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