{"id":109100,"date":"2025-09-04T15:18:57","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T15:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/excitement-builds-in-kinigi-ahead-of-kwita-izina-festival"},"modified":"2025-09-04T15:45:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T15:45:40","slug":"excitement-builds-in-kinigi-ahead-of-kwita-izina-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/excitement-builds-in-kinigi-ahead-of-kwita-izina-festival","title":{"rendered":"Excitement builds in Kinigi ahead of Kwita Izina festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>The landscape of Kinigi is transforming as it prepares to host the 20th anniversary of Kwita Izina, or the Gorilla Naming Ceremony, Rwanda’s leading tourism flagship event.<\/p>\n

The ceremony, which was postponed last year, will now take place on September 5 at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District. During this year\u2019s edition, 40 baby gorillas, including 18 born in 2024, will be given names.<\/p>\n

The high-level conservation event is expected to attract conservationists, dignitaries, and international guests, with 20 distinguished namers headlining the ceremony. Since its inception in 2005, nearly 400 baby gorillas have been named.<\/p>\n

As the day approaches, preparations in Musanze are in high gear with the district busy welcoming local and foreign delegates ahead of the country’s most iconic annual conservation festival.<\/p>\n

All roads will be leading to Kinigi on the footsteps of the Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas, for the Kwita Izina ceremony, tomorrow.<\/p>\n

The ceremony, postponed in 2024, will now take place on September 5 at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District<\/p>\n

The annual gorilla naming ceremony is scheduled for September 5 in Musanze District. Kellya Keza<\/p>\n

A view of an artwork in Kinigi, where preparations are underway for the 20th edition of Kwita Izina, Rwanda\u2019s annual gorilla naming ceremony, PHOTO BY KELLYA KEZA<\/p>\n

This high-level event is expected to attract conservationists, foreign invitees, officials and ordinary citizens in a celebration of conservation gains.<\/p>\n

A view of an artwork in Kinigi, where preparations are underway for the 20th edition of Kwita Izina, Rwanda\u2019s annual gorilla naming ceremony, scheduled for September 5 in Musanze District. Kellya Keza<\/p>\n

As the day approaches, preparations in Musanzeare in ull gear as the district welcomes hundreds of local and foreign delegates.<\/p>\n

The Mashirika group during a rehearsal ahead o the event earlier this week.<\/p>\n

The stage is set or the country’s flagship tourism event in the shadows of the gorilla habitat.<\/p>\n

Workers on duty ahead of the 20th edition of baby gorilla naming ceremony.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition will seen 40 baby gorillas, including 18 born last year, baptised in a glamorous ceremony. RBA photo<\/p>\n

The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Kwita Izina ceremony. RBA photo<\/p>\n

A view of the venue where Kwita Izina celebrations are expected to take place tomorrow. RBA photo<\/p>\n

Dancers from Mashirika group during a rehearsal at Kinigi ahead of the upcoming Kwita Izina ceremony, earlier this week.<\/p>\n\r\n