Mpinganzima, Mutoni, Mwungeri Among 40 Baby Gorillas Named at Kwita Izina 2025

By Elias Hakizimana.

Musanze, Rwanda — September 6, 2025
The names Mpinganzima, Mutoni, and Mwungeri might sound like those of your friends, classmates, or neighbors—but as of yesterday, they belong to some of Rwanda’s newest baby gorillas.

At the 20th Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, held on September 5 in Kinigi, Musanze, 40 infant gorillas were given names that were at once funny, familiar, and deeply meaningful.

The annual event, now in its 20th year, brought together world leaders, conservationists, celebrities, and thousands of community members to celebrate Rwanda’s conservation journey and strengthen ties between people and the endangered mountain gorillas.

For many in the crowd, the moment became personal. Laughter broke out when names like Ganza, Garuka, and Mutoni were announced—names that could just as easily belong to a relative or a friend.

“It was surprising to hear my friends’ names given to gorillas,” one attendee said, smiling as the audience reacted to the playful echoes of human identity.

Yet each name carried symbolic weight. Kundwa (“loved”) spoke of affection, Tengamara (“be safe and sound”) symbolized protection, and Rwandanziza (“beautiful Rwanda”) reflected the nation’s pride in its landscapes and people.

Others, like Umurage (“heritage”), Inkomoko (“origin”), and Iwacu (“our home”), tied the gorillas’ futures to Rwanda’s cultural values and ecological legacy.

Global figures joined the ceremony as namers. Nigerian star Yemi Alade chose Kundwa, describing her encounter with the gorillas as “love at first sight.”

Reed Oppenheimer of Wild Earth Allies selected Tengamara, praising Rwanda’s success in restoring gorilla populations once on the edge of extinction.

Conservationists, academics, and local leaders followed, each linking their chosen names to themes of resilience, identity, and environmental stewardship.

More than a naming tradition, Kwita Izina has become a global platform for conservation advocacy and a symbol of Rwanda’s leadership in protecting biodiversity. But this year’s session also reminded everyone that conservation can be joyful, relatable, and even humorous.

When a gorilla is called Mutoni or Mwungeri, it’s not just a name—it’s a bridge between human communities and the wild families living in Volcanoes National Park.