The Prince of Wales has taken part in a Gorilla Naming Ceremony, or a Kwita Izina, in northern Rwanda.
On September 2nd 2022, Prince Charles announced that he had named a baby gorilla Ubwuzuzanye, a name that means ‘Harmony’, “since the restoration of harmony and balance between Nature, People and Planet is the most critical issue facing humanity that we must tackle with extreme urgency,” he revealed in a video announcement.
“Otherwise these, and other magnificent creatures and their precious habitats, will be lost forever.”
The ceremony took place in Kinigi, in the Musanze District in northern Rwanda. According to Clarence House, the Kwita Izina is one of the most important conservation events in Rwanda because it “celebrates the country’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.”
Ubwuzuzanye was one of 20 baby gorillas involved in the Kwita Izina this year. He is a baby male gorilla who was born, interestingly enough, on a date important to Charles and his family. He arrived on 29 April 2022, the eleventh anniversary of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The baby’s mother is named Agasaro.
Prince Charles added: “I had the great pleasure of visiting Rwanda during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June this year, where I heard about the remarkable conservation work that Rwanda has carried out, and continues to carry out, to safeguard wildlife for generations to come.”
The Kwita Izina is attended by around 30,000 people each year, plus thousands more who travel from other parts of Africa and around the world. It takes inspiration from the tradition of naming children in the presence of the community, surrounded by friends and family, and also “plays a significant role in the ongoing protection of mountain gorillas and their natural habitat,” according to Clarence House.
Prince Charles was invited to participate in the Kwita Izina by the Rwanda Development Board. His message was introduced by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and broadcast at the ceremony.
