Gorillas, glamour, music and a star-studded guest list took over Kinigi on Friday as Rwanda hosted the 21st Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony, bringing together senior leaders, celebrities, conservationists and visitors from across the world.
The colourful celebration saw 22 baby mountain gorillas given names, in a ceremony that blended Rwanda’s conservation efforts with entertainment, culture, tourism and global recognition.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva was the Guest of Honour, joining government officials, international guests and other prominent figures gathered in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park to celebrate efforts to protect mountain gorillas and their natural habitat.
While conservation remained at the heart of the event, the atmosphere was far from quiet.
Rwandan music stars, including The Ben, Riderman and Kivumbi, among others, kept the crowd entertained with energetic performances, turning the ceremony into a lively celebration of music and culture.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for — the naming of the baby gorillas.
A lineup of high-profile figures from business, sport, entertainment and international organisations stepped forward to give names to the newborn gorillas, with several of the names reflecting powerful cultural values and meanings.
Eng. Ahmed Sadek Elsewedy, CEO of Elsewedy Electric, together with his wife Anita Dravec, named a baby gorilla Rugamba.
Former Miss Belgium Keza Johanna Ameloot named one Nkwakuzi, while CAA Sports President Paul Danforth chose the name Shikama.
Former France international footballer Mamadou Sakho named a gorilla Intwarane, while Atlético de Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín named another Inkera, meaning a traditional celebration.
Rwandan gospel musician Israel Mbonyi also joined the distinguished group of namers, giving one of the newborns the name Impeta.
Dominic Barton, Chairman of Rio Tinto and LeapFrog Investments, named Umukondo, while UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais named another gorilla Ishakwe.
Olivier Granet, CEO and one of the leaders of Kasada Capital, together with Quitterie Granet, named another baby gorilla Umucyo.
Football legend Patrice Evra was also among the high-profile guests, adding an international sporting touch to the celebration.
Reflecting on his experience of seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat, Evra described it as something he had never imagined experiencing and pledged to continue supporting biodiversity conservation.
Welcoming participants to the ceremony, Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde said Kwita Izina provides an opportunity to celebrate Rwanda’s natural heritage, raise awareness about biodiversity conservation and highlight the role of Volcanoes National Park in supporting community and national development.
Throughout the ceremony, cameras captured colourful moments as celebrities interacted with guests, musicians entertained the crowd and the namers proudly revealed the names they had chosen.
The event once again demonstrated how Kwita Izina has grown far beyond a traditional gorilla naming ceremony.
It has become a global platform where conservation, culture, tourism, entertainment, sport and business converge under the shadow of the Virunga Mountains.
With 22 new names joining the growing story of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, Kinigi had plenty to celebrate — proving that protecting nature can come with a little glamour, a lot of music and an unforgettable celebration.
