The Gorilla Naming Ceremony, known as Kwita Izina, has been an annual tradition since 2005, where newly born baby gorillas are given names based on their circumstances of birth, future expectations, and their habitat. This year’s heartwarming event took place on September 1st at the Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze district, Rwanda. The ceremony brought together a diverse array of dignitaries, artists, and local communities living near the homes of these endangered creatures, all united in celebrating the conservation of Rwanda’s rich biodiversity.

Since its inception in 2005, the Gorilla Naming Ceremony has seen 374 baby gorillas receive names. This year, 23 new baby gorillas born in the past 12 months were honored with names that reflect their significance to the conservation effort.

The namers at this year’s ceremony included sports legends, actors, musicians, global entrepreneurs, tourism leaders, rangers, conservation scientists, media personalities, and investors passionate about the environment and conservation.

• Notable figures like Kevin Hart, an America film actor and comedian who was recently in Rwanda joined the ceremony and on behalf of the Hart family, named one of the gorillas as “Gakondo”.
• Others included a famous actor, musician and producer Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba, a model and activist, UN Goodwill ambassador of IFAD as well as CEO also named a baby gorilla “Narame” which means long life.
• The Minister of State in Common Wealth and Development Office, friend of Rwanda Andrew Mitchell MP also named his baby gorilla “Mukundwa” meaning Favored.
•  A Zimbabwean–American actress and playwright and best known for her starring roles as “Okoye” in the movie Black Panther Wakanda, Danai Jekesai Gurira also named a gorilla baby “Aguka” translated as expand.
•  A Former Chicago Bulls Centre Forward and Lais Ribeiro International Model, Joakim Noah also named a baby gorilla “Turumwe” translated as togetherness.
• Larry Green, a Board Trustee at the African Wildlife Foundation, known for his passion for African wildlife and their habitats named his female baby gorilla as” Ingoboka” translated as support.
• BioNtech’s Dr. Özlem Türeci and Dr. Sierk Poetting, whose investment leads from the global German pharmaceutical giant in Rwanda also named a female gorilla as “Intaganda” translated as humble and brave.
• French investor Cyrille Bolloré a Chief Executive Officer, he named his baby gorilla “Mugisha” translated as blessing.
•  Anders Holch Povlsen, a Danish billionaire, CEO and sole owner of the international retail clothing chain Bestseller named his male gorilla as “Umutako” meaning ornament.
• Audrey Azoulay, a French politician and Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization named her baby gorilla “Ikirango” translated as symbol.
• Bernard Lama, a legendary French football coach and former Paris Saint Germain (PSG) goalkeeper also named his baby gorilla “Ramba” which means “sustainable”.
• Bukola Elemide, award winning Nigerian-French singer-songwriter name her baby gorilla: “INGANZO” which means origin or source.
• Hazza Al Qahtani The United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda named his baby gorilla “Urunana” which means “Collaboration”.
• Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) named his baby gorilla “Inshingano” translated Responsibility.
• Winston Duke a Tobagonian actor named his baby gorilla “Intarumikwa” which means Resilient Giant.
• Queen Kalipinya – Rwandan Rally Car Driver and Gender Equality Advocate named her baby gorilla “Impundu” which means “Acclamation”.
• British Novelist, Jonathan Ledgard named his baby gorilla “Gisubizo” which means “Solution”.
• Sol Campbell Arsenal and England football legend named his baby gorilla “Jijuka” which means Enlightenment.
• Nick Stone Lead Director, Wilderness named his baby gorilla “Umucunguzi” which means “Redeemer”.
• Joe Schoendorf Silicon Valley Pioneer named his baby gorilla “Uburinganire” which means Gender Equality.
• Grace Ineza Umuhoza, Founder and CEO of The Green Protector, and environmental activist and 2023 Global Citizen’s Prize winner amed her gorilla as “Bigwi” from the Ntambara family, with a wish she will grow protected by each one at the event and beyond.
• Twelve-year-old Elvine Ineza named her baby gorilla “Nibagwire” which means Multiply; while the man behind the gorilla safety, Innocent Dusabeyezu.
• Ranger in Volcanoes National Park named his baby gorilla “Murare” which means “Sleep Over”.

The ceremony was a testament to the commitment to Rwanda’s tourism conservation efforts and the joy of welcoming new baby gorillas into the family. It was an honor and a source of excitement to return to Kinigi and participate in this heartwarming tradition.

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