On 6th September 2019, all roads in Rwanda led to Kinigi for the 15th gorilla naming ceremony at the headquarters of Volcanoes National park home to quarters of the world’s surviving endangered mountain gorillas. Thousands of travelers, conservationists, celebrities, local people, researchers, soccer legends, mountain gorilla lovers and those in show businesses were seen flocking to the scene. It was magical, seeing 25 baby gorillas being given names by different prominent people from all over the world. The baby gorillas were those born in late 2018 and since the stet of 2019 and the number totaled to 25 from different gorilla families in Volcanoes National park. HE Paul Kagame, the reigning president of Rwanda who was the guest of honor, officially opened the colorful day. Also. series of local and international entertainments were performed to celebrate this utmost value given to endangered gorillas, which they undeniably deserve. 25 people both from Rwanda and outside countries were selected to give the baby gorillas names. Each person named one baby gorilla. The name given to baby gorillas was in Kinyarwanda with a unique meaning for future hope, location, wishes, and expectations. The names of baby gorillas at 2019 Kwita Izina and people who named them are:
Ingando: Born in Isimbi gorilla family, baby Ingando was named by Jeremy Jauncey, the founder of beautiful destinations and advocate for conservation. Ingando translates to mean hope and a chance for sustainable tourism in Rwanda and the whole globe.
Baby gorilla with its mum
Igihango: Born in Sabynyo gorilla family, Igihango baby gorilla was named by Ron Adams who is the first Israel residence ambassador to Rwanda. “Igihango” is a covenant symbolizing a connection between God and Humans and a strong bond between gorillas and their guardians.
Suru’urwanda: Translated as “visit Rwanda” Suru’urwanda baby gorilla was named born in Mafunzo gorilla family and named by Tony Adams, the English football manager, and Arsenal football club. The baby gorilla was named after the tourism partnership between Rwanda and Arsenal.
Baby gorilla in Volcanoes National Park
Inkorumutima: The bay gorillas was born in Musirikare family and named after “Inoramutima” a prominent singer with popular songs in Rwanda. Meddy named the baby gorilla an artist from Rwanda.
Kira: Translated as “bless you” Kira baby gorilla was named by Ota Gunewardene after her two lovely sons i.e Kiran and Rakhi. Otara is a founder of Otara foundations and also a philanthropist.
Ingogozi: Louis Van Gaal, the Dutch former football manager and player, named the baby gorilla as respect for peace and remarkable recovery that Rwanda has made to become one of the peaceful countries in the world since 1994.
Umukuru: This baby gorilla was born in Pablo gorilla family and was named by Haile Mariam Desalegn Boshe, the former prime minister of Ethiopia. Umukuru name was selected as a tribute to Mutware, the oldest elephant that died in 2018 in Akagera National Park.
Intego: the baby gorilla from Kwitonda was named by Ronan Donovan and Ingego means purpose.
Uhiriwe: Translated as “lucky one”, Uhiriwe baby gorilla was named by princess Basma Bint Ali, a passionate advocate of biodiversity conservation.
Mugwire: This baby gorilla was named by Emmanuel Niringiyimana an exemplary young Rwandan man Emmanuel constructed a road on his own to facilitate movements of people and goods in hi community, something that made him an exception.
Inararibonye: Born in Pablo family, Inararibonye baby gorilla was named by Paul Milton and Luke Bailes the partners in Rwanda conservation efforts. Inararibonye means wise and experienced called after the duo’s commitment to promote conservation in Rwanda.
Uruti: Translated as the highest recognition of heroism, Uruti baby gorilla was born from Igisha gorilla family and named by Dame Louise Martin, DBE, the president of the common wealth games Federation joined by Patricia Scotland.
Intarutwa: Intarutwa baby gorilla was named born from Muhoza family and named by Naomi Campbell who works as a businesswoman, international supermodel and humanitarian. Intaruwa is translated as “excellence”.
Ingangi: Ingangi is transited as “long life” and was born from Amahoro gorilla family. Joseph Areruya, an award winning professional cyclist in Rwanda, named the baby gorilla.
Ikirenga: Ikirenga baby gorilla was born from Kwitonda gorilla family and named by Marco Lambertini, the general director of World Wide fund with a strong passion for diversity. Ikirenge means exceptional.
Ibirori: Translated as celebrations, Ibirori baby gorilla was born from Susa gorilla group and named by Sherrie Silver an actress, humanitarian and award winning choreographer in Rwanda.
Karame: Born from Korea family, Karame baby gorilla was named by Anthony Nzuki, an exceptional ranger at Akagera National park, the only game park in Rwanda and home to the big five games.
Ituze: Ituze baby gorilla is born from Sabyinyo gorilla family and managed by Wilfred Kiboro an entrepreneur and Philanthropist in Kenya. Ituze is translated as stability in Rwanda while in Swahili; it means “Take Care”.
Bisoke: Jean Nepo Musekura, one of the incredible park rangers from Volcanoes National park, named Bisoke baby gorilla born from Ntambara family. Jean has played a crucial role in the conservation of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Igonga: Translated as courage, Igongo baby gorilla was born from Umubano gorilla family and named by Amina Mohammed, the former federal Minister of Environment of Nigeria and the Deputy secretary-general for the United Nations.
Umwihariko: The baby gorilla was born from Ntambara gorilla family and named by Karen Chalyan, the ambassador of the Russian Federation to Rwanda. Umwihariko means “exception”.
Inzobere: Born in Agashya gorilla family, Inzobere baby gorilla was named by Robert Twibaze, a senior guide with over 12 years experience of guiding in Rwanda. Inzobere means expert named after Robert’s experience in tourism guiding.
Biracyaza: Named by Ne-Yo, the Grammy award winning singer and songwriter. Biracyza baby gorilla was born from Kuryama family. The name s translated as “ great things are coming”. For Ne-Yo, 2019 gorilla naming ceremony was his first trip to Rwanda.
Generally, a Rwanda gorilla trio to Volcanoes National park will give you a chance to meet any of the recently named baby gorillas. Contact Gorilla Trek Africa today, book a gorilla safari to Rwanda and enjoy a once in lifetime experience with the endangered species in the jungle.
