The Rainbow Nation

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE RAINBOW NATION (R4x32) 4C set Terry Lynne Harris Many Happy Hours

1- 8 All circle 8H round and back
9-16 1M+2L set, 1M casts to 2nd place (2M steps up); 1L+2M set, 1L casts to 2nd place (2L steps up)
17-24 1s cross RH, 1s+3s change places LH on side; 1s cross RH, 1s+4s change places LH on side. 2341
25-28 4s+1s set advancing and join hands in centre to form line (4M+4L+1M+1L) while 3M/3L set advancing and ¼ turn L/R while 2M/2L set moving slightly L/R to form "Y" shape and all set
  2L
      3L
          4M 4L 1M 1L
      3M
  2M
29-32 2s set to partner while 3s+4s+1s set retiring to places, all set. 2341

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Dance Information

The term "Rainbow Nation" is a descriptor often applied to South Africa. It gained prominence during the post-apartheid era in the 1990s, symbolizing the country's diverse population and the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic, racial, and cultural groups within its borders.

South Africa's history was marked by a system of institutionalized racial segregation known as apartheid, which officially ended in 1994. With the establishment of a democratic government and the presidency of Nelson Mandela, the concept of the "Rainbow Nation" emerged as a metaphor for the nation's unity in diversity.

The phrase underscores the idea that South Africa, despite its historical divisions, is a nation where various ethnicities and communities can coexist harmoniously. It reflects the aspiration towards a multicultural and inclusive society, acknowledging the contributions of all its citizens, irrespective of their racial or cultural backgrounds.

While the term has been widely used in political discourse and public rhetoric, it has also been scrutinized for potentially oversimplifying the complexities of South Africa's social landscape. Nonetheless, the notion of the "Rainbow Nation" remains ingrained in the country's narrative, representing the ongoing efforts towards national reconciliation and unity amidst diversity.

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