The Rainbow Family of Living Light, also known as The Rainbow Family, or the Rainbow Tribe,[1] are a group of individuals committed to principles of non-violence and non-hierarchical egalitarianism. Founded in 1972 in the United States, the Rainbow Family has held annual Gatherings in National Forests for the first week of July each year. The Rainbow Gatherings are non-commercial and all who wish to attend peacefully are welcome. There are no leaders, and traditionally the gatherings take place for a week, with a primary focus on the Fourth of July in North America, when attendees pray, meditate, or observe silence in a group effort to focus on World Peace. Thus, the name Rainbow Family of Living Light is a reflection of both the emphasis on welcoming people of all races, religions, ethnicity, and social status, as well as a spiritual focus towards peace. Those who attend Rainbow Gatherings come from all walks of life, and work together for a variety of goals, among which intentional communities, ecology, spirituality, and an expanded tolerance for others are traditional themes. Those who attend refer to one another as Rainbows, or often as Brothers or Sisters reinforcing the emphasis upon a belief that all people are not only related as part of the human community, but are just as important as members of one's own nuclear family, and given the respect implied in such relationships. Group Councils are the only form of government, and attendance is open to all interested parties, with decisions being reached through consensus. Money is not exchanged, and instead there is a bartering system for all needs, although a magic hat is passed around for necessities that benefit all who attend, such as additional food.
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Goals
The organisation is a loose international affiliation of individuals who have a common goal of trying to achieve peace and love on Earth. Those who participate in, or sympathize with, the activities of this group sometimes refer to the group simply as the "Family". Rainbow Family participants make the claim that their group is the "largest non-organization of non-members in the world". In addition to referring to itself as a non-organization, the group's "non-members" also even playfully call the group a "disorganization". There are no official leaders or structure, no official spokespersons, and no formalized membership.
Gatherings
All Rainbow Gatherings are held with an open invitation to people of all walks of life, and of all beliefs, to share experiences, love, dance, music, food and learning. The first Gathering occurred in San Francisco, California in 1969, but was not widely known as "the Rainbow Gathering" until 1972. The Rainbow Family is most widely known for its large annual American Gatherings (or U.S. "Nationals" and/or "Annuals") which are held on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land. These U.S. Annual Gatherings usually attract between 10,000 and 25,000 participants. In addition to these larger U.S. Annuals, the Rainbow Family also holds gatherings throughout the year in dozens of other countries. "World Gatherings" are also held from time to time in various countries. Other Rainbow Family activities include regional gatherings (or Regionals) and retreats. There are also small, local activities such as local drum circles, potlucks, music related events and campouts.
See also
References
External links
- Welcomehome.org Rainbow Family of the Living Light "Unofficial Homepage"
- People of the Rainbow: A Nomadic Utopia — an ethnographic study of the Rainbow Family
- Star's Rainbow Ride Board
- alt.gathering.rainbow Usenet site
