Rwanda names mountain baby gorillas

KINIGI, Rwanda — The mist had settled over the mountains when the names began.

One by one, 22 baby mountain gorillas born over the past year were given names Friday at Rwanda’s annual celebration of one of the world’s most remarkable conservation recoveries.

They were named Ishakwe, Umukondo, Shikama, Inkera, Rugamba, Umucyo, Ngabonzima, Ndongozi, Ndahiro, Ngoga, Muhuza, Komezutsinde, Ntwarane, Tarama, Mpinga, Ruhembe, Muganura, Igihembo and Nkwakuzi, among others.

For a few minutes, the focus was on the animals.

Then came the people who had travelled from around the world to name them.

There was Patrice Evra, the former Manchester United and France captain. Mamadou Sakho, another former French international and Paris Saint-Germain captain. Olympic high-jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim. David Lappartient, president of the Union Cycliste Internationale.

There were business leaders, conservationists, filmmakers, artists and tourism officials.

And there were Rwandans whose work happens far from the international spotlight — including Jeanette Uwimbabazi, a Nyungwe National Park ranger who works on the front line of the fight against wildlife crime.

Together, they formed the unusual cast of Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony.

Now in its 21st year, Kwita Izina has grown far beyond a ceremony.

It has become a showcase for an idea Rwanda has spent years trying to prove: that protecting nature does not have to stand apart from economic development. Conservation can generate tourism. Tourism can support communities. Communities, in turn, can become part of the protection of the forests and animals that draw visitors to Rwanda.

This year’s theme put the idea plainly: “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.”

A Rwandan tradition goes global

The ceremony is rooted in an old Rwandan tradition.

Newborn children are named in the presence of family and community. Rwanda adapted that tradition to its mountain gorillas, turning the naming of each new animal into a public celebration of its survival.

Since Kwita Izina became an annual event in 2005, more than 438 mountain gorillas have been named.

A gorilla born in the forest might otherwise be known primarily through scientific records and conservation databases. Through Kwita Izina, the animal receives a name in front of thousands of people and an audience that stretches well beyond Rwanda.

Some celebrate strength, leadership or resilience. Others reflect people, places or values that Rwanda wants to associate with the future of conservation.

This year, the namers included Shaikha Al Nuwais, incoming Secretary-General of UN Tourism and the first woman to lead the organisation, who named Ishakwe.

Dominic Barton, chairman of Rio Tinto and LeapFrog Investments and former global managing partner of McKinsey, named Umukondo.

Alastair Fothergill, the award-winning filmmaker behind Planet Earth and Blue Planet, named Mpinga.

The former Manchester United star appeared to be enjoying the moment as much as the crowd.

He described Rwanda as “deep, powerful and emotional,” praised its conservation efforts and suggested other African countries could learn from the country’s experience.

He also indicated that he wanted to stay longer.

Sakho went a step further.

After giving his gorilla the name Ntwarane, he told the crowd: “From today I am a Rwandan.”