Notes

The rainbow family of living light is said to be made up of tribes and families and people from all walks coming home together as one human family gathering together on the land. A rainbow gathering is different for every one. You may find people actively creating postive commuity with one another, learning and teaching ways we can live in harmony with nature, our mother earth, and each other. And celebrating life together. There is no formal organization or leadership. It is felt by many to be contrary to the spirit of the gatherings. It is said that any one with a belly button may consider themselves part of the rainbow family, and that even a belly button is not really needed. We are welcome home as one family.

There have been gatherings called Rainbow Gatherings since at least 1972, and there has been at least one large gathering of the tribes every year in the US on public land around the 4th of July since then. Many gather then to pray for peace and healing in the world. There are also gatherings in many parts of the world, in different countries and continents, and even world gatherings. There are many local and regional gatherings throughout the year. Some are timed with solstice or equinox or other special times and seasons. It may be that there have been gatherings before or since the "first" rainbow gathering in 1972 that may not have called themselves rainbow gatherings but were of the same spirit. The gatherings are called rainbow because they are for all the peoples of the earth, from many families, tribes, and nations. Some say that the Hopi people native to North America tell a vision of a time when mother earth, the land, air, waters, and creatures of all kinds were sick with poisons and ill treatment by people, the children of the white races, or more specifically the people who lived the cultures of those who displaced the native peoples of the Americas - not just caucasions) would grow their hair long, wear beads, and come together with the children of all the nations to heal the earth. Intentional community, respect for indigenous peoples and culture, ecology, and spirituality are common themes with peoples of the rainbow.