TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS on exhibition in Musanze District ahead of today’s 10th annual baby gorilla-naming ceremony, Kwita Izina, are turning the heads of tourists.

The two-day Gorilla Conservation and Community Exhibition at Ubworoherane Stadium aims at showcasing what has been achieved in conservation and community empowerment through the 5 per cent revenue sharing scheme.

It is part of the Kwita Izina activities at the foot of Virunga Mountains in Kinigi, Musanze District, Northern Province.

The exhibition, which attracted most of local tours and travel companies and associations with most of local products used by Rwandans decades ago, wowed tourists who said it is a sign that although Rwandans have adopted the western culture, they never left behind theirs.

Exhibitors brought traditional tools used by Rwandans of ancient time, which are currently hard to find.

They also brought handicrafts such as baskets, and wood sculptures of various shapes, including gorillas, mortals, among others.

The exhibitors also showcased traditional dances and board games that were common leisure activities in the ancient times.

"I have been in museums where I saw what people used to do but here I see cultural things alive. It’s interesting seeing people doing things alive; it is a proof they maintained their culture,” said Will Roestenburg, from Tasmania town in Australia.

Blending cultures

Roesternburg, who is spending a week in the country, said the fact that he saw people doing things of the past decades shows that Rwandans have adopted the Western culture while maintaining their own.

Another tourist, only identified as Britany, from Australia, said Rwandans are good at cultural conservation and it helps them keep it alive.

"It is good seeing the present-day generation dealing with things their grandparents used to do. It is an education point of view which even future generations would adopt, in this way the Rwandan culture will remain alive,” she said.

Tourists also said Kwita Izina is fascinating and unique in international tourism.

"I am happy to attend the baby gorilla-naming ceremonies, I heard that 18 baby gorillas are to be named. As tourists, we are cerebrating the birthday of gorillas,” Britany said

Exhibitors upbeat

Exhibitors hailed the initiative by the government to let their products exposed, saying it would help boost tourism in the country, thus, benefit their cooperatives.

"We are happy for the opportunity to exhibit our products, though we are not selling a lot, we make our products known and our guests are excited,” said Veneranda Bajinya, a member of Open Land Rwanda, a cooperative that deals with conservational tourism.

Gertrude Mukagasisi, from Red Rocks, a company dealing with various touristic activities, said she earns a living from selling products to tourists.

"We make baskets, mates, banana beer and traditional food. Our products have attracted more tourists and we now have a wide market. I am grateful that God had given us gorillas from which we benefit immensely,” said Mukagasisi.

"We wouldn’t be selling our handicraft if gorillas had not been existing,” she added