Meet The Adorable Baby Gorillas That Were Named During The 2023 Kwita Izina Ceremony
On Friday, 1st September 2023, the World witnessed one of the most life-changing conservation events in the history of Gorilla Tourism as Rwanda officially and publicly named its baby mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Undertaken in Kinigi, Musanze on the foothills of the Gorilla Trekking Protected Area, Kwita Izina was not just about the “naming of baby Mountain Gorillas” but a Global Celebration of Conservation as well as Community-led efforts in the protection of these Giant Apes’ natural habitat.
The event was graced by the First Lady of Rwanda, Her Excellency Jeanette Kagame, and brought together special guests, Friends of Rwanda, and several baby gorilla namers, as well as thousands of Rwandans from the neighboring local communities. A total of 23 baby gorillas were named by sports stars, Local and International celebrities and artists, renowned conservation champions, and several industry players. It is now time to know the adorable baby gorillas that were named and their respective namers.
Kwita Izina Ceremony
Aguka T’Challa
Aguka T’Challa was born on 8th October 2022 to the Mutobo Gorilla Family. This baby Gorilla was named by Danai Gurira, a renowned Zimbabwean-American actress, playwright, and Activist. Meaning Expansion, the gorilla’s name was chosen as a tribute to its mother who has through the years nurtured many babies thus leading to the expansion of the Gorilla Family.
Gakondo
Meaning “Tradition”, Gakondo is a male baby Gorilla born on 28th March 2023. He was named by Kevin Hart, an American comedian and Actor to highlight the country’s diverse cultural values as well as traditions that have shaped events such as Kwita Izina and have been practiced for several years as part of the development journey of Rwanda.
Ingoboka
Ingoboka means “support” and was the name given to the baby gorilla born to the Hirwa family. The name, given by Larry Green- African Wildlife Foundation Board Trustee symbolizes support and comfort provided to the Gorilla Family after losing several members in the past years.
Impundu
Impundu means “acclamation” in the local Kinyarwanda dialect symbolizing the hope that the baby gorilla born to the Agashya family will grow into a strong and vocal advocate for the protection of her species.
This female baby gorilla was born on 27th June 2023 and was named by Queen Kalimpinya, Rwanda’s first female Rally driver and Gender Equality Advocate.
Intarumikwa
Meaning “resilient giant”, Intarumikwa was the name given to a male baby gorilla born on 1st July 2023 to Akaramata in the Mutobo Family. This Gorilla was named by Winston Duke, a Tobagonian-Rwandan actor and Producer. This name was given in recognition of the exceptional leadership and strength of the dominant silverback Mutobo who has been fundamental in attracting several females from neighboring gorilla families since the formation of the family.
Ramba
Ramba (meaning sustainable) was the name given to the baby Gorilla born on 19th February 2023 to an adult female Intango, of the Muhoza Gorilla Family. This baby was named by Bernard Lama, former Paris Saint-Germain and France National Team Goalkeeper to highlight the success of the country’s low tourism volume as well as high value approach to gorilla tourism hence sustainability.
Gisubizo
Meaning “solution”, Gisubizo was the name chosen for the baby gorilla born on 12th December 2022 to the Kwitonda family. The name is aimed at highlighting conservation as a solution for economic development and sustainable tourism. This gorilla was named by Jonathan Ledgard, a British-born Novelist and expert in advanced technology, Nature, and risk in emerging markets.
Inshingano
Inshingano means “responsibility” symbolizing the character of Rwanda’s leadership of taking responsibility as well as accountability hence ensuring the success of wildlife conservation, especially with the endangered mountain gorillas. This name was given to a baby gorilla born to Sugira in the Isimbi gorilla family by Zurab Pololikashvili, the UNWTO Secretary General.
Ikirango
Ikirango means symbol and was the name given by Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General to the baby gorilla born in the Sabyinyo Gorilla Family by Umurinzi. This name was chosen to signify the country’s success in harnessing the power of ecotourism in support of conservation, the mountain gorilla population being the highlight.
Uburinganire
Uburinganire means “gender equality”, and recognizes the country’s efforts in building a gender-equal society in which every Rwandan Citizen can reach full potential. This was the name given by Joe Schoendorf, the Silicon Valley Pioneer to a female baby gorilla born to Isaro in the Musirikari gorilla family.
Other baby gorillas named during the 19th Kwita Izina Ceremony are Mukundwa (meaning favored) born to the Pablo Family, Intiganda (meaning humble and brave) of the Agashya Gorilla Family, Mugisha (Blessing), Inganzo (origin) from the Dushishoze Gorilla Family, Jijuka (meaning Enlightenment) from Segasira Gorilla Family, Narame (long life), Umucunguzi (meaning Redeemer) from Musirikari Gorilla Family, Nibagwire (meaning multiply) from Segasira Family, Urunana (meaning collaboration), Umutako (meaning Ornament), Bigwi (Achiever), Turumwe (meaning oneness) and Murare (Sleepover).