First Lady Jeannette Kagame and Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente flanked by namers of baby gorillas at the Kwita Izina ceremony in Musanze on September 2. All photos by Dan Nsengiyumva
First Lady Jeannette Kagame and Prime Minister Edouard joined thousands of conservation champions, celebrities and residents of Musanze District for the 18th Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi, Friday, September 2, during which 20 baby gorillas and a new mountain gorilla family were named.
It was the first in-person gorilla naming event in two years, the previous two editions having taken place virtually as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Namers included industry captains, philanthropists, sports and music icons as well as leading conservationists drawn from around the world.
Kwita Izina, a time-honoured Rwandan custom in which families come together to celebrate the arrival of a newborn baby and to name them, has been credited with recent gains in the country’s gorilla conservation efforts.
We captured the colourful event through the lens.
A beautiful stage depicting moutain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. All Photos by Dan Nsengiyumva
A group of local artistes performing a play during the Kwita Izina Event
Didier Drogba, the legendary striker who powered Chelsea to their first UEFA Champions League in 2012, names his baby gorilla 'Ishami' means Offspring.
Famous Kenyan band, Sauti Sol, names a new family of mountain gorillas 'Kwisanga' — Feel At Home
Formula One analyst for Sky Sports, Naomi Schiff (left), and Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva chat during Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi,
Louise Mushikiwabo during the 18th Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze District on Sepember 2. Some 20 baby gorillas were given names at the annual event.
Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation naming a baby Gorilla
Michaella Rugwizangoga, the new Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board speaks at the annual Kwita Izina event in Kinigi.
Residents celebrate during the 18th Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze District on Sepember 2.
Residents celebrate during the 18th Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze District on Sepember 2. All photos by Dan Nsengiyumva
Salma Mukansanga, the first woman to take charge of a men's match at the Africa Cup of Nations, gives a name to a baby gorilla.
Sir Ian Clark Wood, gives his baby gorilla the name of 'Ubusugire' Integrity
Thousands of people attended the event to celebrate the life of mountain gorillas.