As Rwanda prepares for the 10th edition of the Gorilla naming ceremony, Kwita Izina, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has set up a week long cultural and tourism exhibition that kicks off today at Hotel Muhabura in Musanze District.

The head of Amahoro Tours which organised the event alongside RDB, Greg Bakunzi, explained that the event will act as a cultural platform for portraying the success stories of the Rwandan community as well as the philosophy behind the Kwita Izina ceremony.

"Visitors and indeed all Rwandans have all reasons to celebrate the beauty of this part of the country. There is a lot to learn and experience culturally and one day isn’t enough to discover and explore Rwanda’s natural beauty and culture,” he said.

Bakunzi explained that the week will be built around activities open to the public which showcase community activities and celebrate the opening of Kwita Izina. It will provide visitors with alternative activities to encourage a longer visit which is more involved with the grassroots community and economy of Musanze, Northern Province.

According to officials at the RDB, the cultural week will give guests the chance to explore local caves thought to be more than two million years old and visit the historic Buhanga Eco-Park (150 bird species as well as the cherished Unity Tree) that is centuries old. The Eco-Park was the location of the king’s coronation.

The opening activities will centre on a display of works completed under the Community Woman Project. Women will exhibit hand-made crafts, jewellery, clothing and household products of rural women.

With the help of self-taught artist, Augustin Hakizimana, children will also display their artwork for the visitors to see and appreciate the young talent.

The evening session will feature live performances of traditional folk music by the Intambwe dance troupe and other local dance troupes. On the 21st, local musicians Bruce Melody, King James, Knowless, and Ama-G the Black will entertain guests at Musanze Stadium. There will also be performances by Rwanda’s famous National Ballet. The cultural week will end with a marathon from Muhabura Hotel into Kinigi town and back to the hotel.

Twelve baby gorillas and one new family are set to be named during the event, which will be held in Musanze.

Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming a baby soon after its birth. In the nine years since the event was established, 161 gorillas have been named in a celebration of nature and the communities who protect the animals. 

Rwanda’s community led conservation efforts have led to a 26.3 percent growth in the population of gorillas since 2003.