Rwanda names 20 mountain baby gorillas as in-person ceremony returns

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Rwanda’s traditional baby gorilla naming ceremony returned with a physical ceremony Friday with the government committing to expanding gorilla habitat.

The ceremony – locally called Kwita Izina – at the foothills of the Volcano National Park in Musanze district, northern Rwanda, witnessed the naming of 20 baby mountain gorillas born in the park over the last 12 months.

Personalities to name the gorillas during this year’s 18th edition of the ceremony included notable partners, conservationists, international celebrities, dignitaries, and friends of Rwanda.

Prince Charles of Wales named a baby gorilla Ubwuzuzanye, which means harmony.

“The restoration of harmony between nature, people and planet is the most critical issue facing humanity,” Prince Charles said in a video message.

He commended Rwanda’s ambitious project to expand Africa’s oldest national park, the Volcano National Park, by roughly 23%, saying “the once in a generation initiative will help ensure a bright future for the mountain gorillas.”

American award-winning actor Uzo Aduba named a baby gorilla Imararungu, meaning cheerful, while Gilberto Silva, an Arsenal legend, chose the name Impanda, which means trumpet.

This name was chosen to serve as a call to action for us all to play our part in protecting and restoring biodiversity, said Silva.

Aduba said Imararungu was chosen as a name to represent the joyful and entertaining nature of gorillas.

Stewart Maginnis, the deputy director general of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, said his choice of Nyirindekwe, which means protector, as a name was to “celebrate the protective nature of the mountain gorillas, and their roles as guardians of their forest habitat.”

At least 354 baby gorillas have been named since the start of the naming ceremony in 2005.

The flagship annual ceremony was held virtually over the last two years due the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Rwanda says committed to preserving gorillas

Clare Akamanzi, the chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board, said initiatives such as the gorilla naming ceremony play a major role in conserving the giant apes.

In the 2010 census, there were 480 mountain gorillas, which have increased to 604 individuals in the Virunga Massif according to the 2016 census report.

The naming ceremony is part of conservation efforts which have contributed to the increase in mountain gorillas worldwide to 1,063 and are categorized as no longer critically endangered.

Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente said the naming event demonstrates the East African country’s commitment to conservation and reaffirmed his government’s pledge to expand the habitat of the mountain gorillas.

Ngirente also said the Rwandan government remains committed to improving the livelihoods of park communities while enabling wildlife conservation through the Tourism Revenue Share Program.

Initiated in 2005, the Tourism Revenue Share Program aims to guide investment in the areas surrounding the various national parks in Rwanda by ensuring that 10% of all park revenues is given back to the communities.

After being battered by the pandemic, inbound tourism to Rwanda has been showing a promising return. Revenues increased by 25% from $131 million in 2020 to $164 million in 2021, according to official data.