There are moments when a country tells its story without saying a word. For Rwanda, one of those moments is Kwita Izina, the annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony that brings together Rwandans, international visitors, global leaders, artists, athletes, business leaders, and other influential personalities from around the world. Kwita Izina, meaning “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda, is inspired by the traditional Rwandan practice of naming newborns in the presence of family and community. Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in 2005, and what started as a conservation initiative has grown into an internationally recognised celebration of nature, culture, tourism, and community. For me, Kwita Izina represents much more than naming baby gorillas. It represents how far Rwanda has come and how confidently Rwanda is presenting itself to the world. As a Rwandan, one cannot talk about the country's progress without remembering our history. The Genocide against the Tutsi left Rwanda deeply wounded. The country faced challenges, and rebuilding was not simply about constructing roads. It was about rebuilding trust, communities, institutions, opportunities, and hope. Today, when I see international visitors arriving in Rwanda to experience our culture and natural beauty, I see more than tourism. I see part of the transformation that Rwanda has experienced over the past decades. When international guests come to Rwanda for Kwita Izina, they do not only see gorillas. They experience Rwanda. They see our infrastructure. They experience our hospitality. They visit our communities. They taste our food. They experience our culture. They see our mountains and national parks. And, most importantly, they return home with a story about Rwanda. That is the power of tourism. The mountain gorillas themselves represent one of Rwanda's most remarkable conservation stories. Their protection is supported by governments, conservation organisations, researchers, veterinarians, rangers, trackers, and local communities. This achievement demonstrates that conservation can contribute to national development. Rwanda's tourism model increasingly connects the protection of nature with opportunities for surrounding communities. Through tourism revenue sharing, communities around protected areas can benefit from tourism related development projects and improved livelihoods. What I find particularly interesting about Kwita Izina is how it has helped change the way people outside Rwanda see our country. Rwanda is sometimes described simply as a small African country. But being small does not mean being unable to make a big impact. Through conservation, tourism, technology, education, business, sports, culture, and international partnerships, Rwanda continues to demonstrate that a country can use what it has to create opportunities. Kwita Izina is not only about giving names to baby gorillas. It is about giving value to what we have. It teaches us to protect our natural heritage. It teaches us that conservation can create opportunities. It teaches us that tourism can connect Rwanda to the world. It teaches us that our culture can become a source of international recognition. And it teaches us that a country can rebuild itself and create a new story. The beauty of Kwita Izina is that the story does not end when the ceremony is over. International visitors return to their countries carrying memories of Rwanda. They share photographs, stories, experiences, and recommendations. Some return with their families. Others invest, collaborate, study, or build relationships with Rwandans. In this way, tourism becomes more than travelling from one place to another. It becomes an exchange between people and cultures. Today, when I look at Kwita Izina, I see a Rwanda that is no longer only asking the world to understand its past. I see a Rwanda confidently showing the world its present and its ambitions for the future. The writer is pursuing a Master’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management and works at the University of Kigali in the School of Professional Courses and Executive Programmes.
