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'One of the best experiences': Idris Elba and Kevin Hart name baby gorillas in Rwanda

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Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba went to Rwanda to attend the country's annual gorilla naming ceremony.
Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba went to Rwanda to attend the country's annual gorilla naming ceremony.
Photo: Instagram/sabrinaelba
  • Idris Elba and Kevin Hart participated in Rwanda's annual gorilla naming ceremony.
  • The ceremony has been ongoing since 2005 and is in its 19th edition.
  • During their trip, Elba and his wife also met the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame.


Actor Idris Elba and comedian Kevin Hart were among the prominent individuals who attended Rwanda's annual gorilla naming ceremony, which took place on Friday.

Idris Elba and his wife, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, recently posted pictures of their Rwandan trip on social media, where they can be seen wearing matching robes and going to a resort. After the gorilla naming ceremony, they also met the country's president.

"Sabi and I had the honour of attending the Kwita Izina naming ceremony in Rwanda," Elba wrote on Instagram.

"We also had an amazing conversation with President Kagame on the important role the creative arts can play in the shaping of Africa's future," he added.

Kwita Izina is Rwanda's gorilla naming ceremony, which began in 2005. The ceremony is based on another centuries-old tradition where Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends, according to Visit Rwanda.

The annual event occurred on Friday in northern Rwanda. The ceremony celebrates the country's efforts in protecting the endangered species. 

READ MORE | Idris Elba must protect his daughters from a massive lion in Beast filmed in SA

Kevin Hart and his family also attended the ceremony. The Hart family went on a safari trip in the Rwandan wilderness, which Hart called: "One of the best experiences I've ever had in my life."

After their wilderness hike, the family went to Kwita Izina. "I just got to see an amazing family of gorillas and now because of the amazing things and gorillas I got to see, I get to take the liberty of actually naming a gorilla," Hart said in a video.

Kevin Hart chose the name Gakondo for his gorilla.

The Nigerian-French singer-songwriter Bukola Elemide, who goes by the stage name Asa, also attended the ceremony. Asa is known for her songs Jailer and Fire on the Mountain.

Numerous international politicians and business people were also present.

"Thank you for letting us name a baby gorilla at this year's Kwita Izina naming ceremony. We named our little guy Narame, which translates to long life. His mother lost her two previous babies, so we hope this one has a long and fruitful life," wrote Sabrina on Instagram.

Sabrina also posted a picture where the couple are posing with Paul Kagame, Rwandan president. "Thank you for receiving us His Excellency @paulkagame. Rwanda is a beacon of hope for Africa," she posted.

Kagame also shared the picture of the couple on his Instagram account with the caption:

"President Kagame also received @IdrisElba, British actor, musician and producer, and @sabrinaelba, Canadian model and activist who is UN Goodwill Ambassador for @ifad_org to discuss opportunities for partnerships in developing the creative arts industry. The couple named their baby gorilla Narame at the 19th #KwitaIzina Ceremony, which took place in Kinigi today."


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