Rain Kingdom
 | This article refers to a nation which is currently in a state of inactivity. You can help make the article reflect that or ask on the talk page for further information. |
| Micronation | |
Flag | |
| Motto: N/A Anthem: | |
| Status | Current |
| Location | United States |
| Area claimed | None (officially) |
| Membership | N/A |
| Date of foundation | 2009 |
| Leadership | Rain King Jesse I (3 May 2009 to present) |
| Purported organisational structure | Traditional monarchy, quasi ecclesiastical state |
| Language | English |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Purported currency | Rain Crown |
| Capital | Not specified (wherever the Rain King is) |
| Demonym | Rain People |
The Rain Kingdom (also referred to as the Kingdom of Rain, and the Rain Nation) is an ephemeral political entity established in 2009. The Kingdom claims to be an independent sovereign tribe (or nation), but has never been formally acknowledged by the United States or any other international entity. External commentators generally classify the "kingdom" as a micronation. Its activities are largely limited to the internet.
The idea of the kingdom comes from the book, Henderson the Rain King. The kingdom is also based on the historical "rain queens" of the Balobedu tribe of South Africa.
History
The Rain Kingdom was created by Jesse shortly before graduating from high school in May, 2009. It was essentially created to allow its founder and members an opportunity to have fun, learn politics and governance, and become a respected "micronation." The Kingdom plans to compile a Who's Who of Micronations book to help popularize micronations, its most active members, as well as its most earnest supporters. Plans for the book project have not been announced as yet.
Government
The Rain Kingdom describes itself as a "traditional monarchy." It is, for all practical purposes, a quasi absolute monarchy. The Rain King is the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power throughout the kingdom. However, the Rain King is expected to obey the teachings and laws of the Bible. The ministers of the Rain King are not allowed to listen to the king if he commands to break any laws. All laws are issued by "sacred" edict using the "vermilion pencil".
The formal structure of the government centers around the Rain King as the "absolute" ruler, who presides over eleven ministries (or boards), each headed by a president. The Grand Council is in charge of supervising all government departments. Ministers posted to the Grand Council serve as the monarch's privy council and are collectively known as privy councillors.
The eleven ministries are as follows:
- Board of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce
- Board of Civil Appointments
- Board of Education
- Board of Finance
- Board of Foreign Affairs
- Board of Internal Affairs
- Board of Justice
- Board of Post and Communications
- Board of Rites
- Board of War
- Board of Works
Culture
The culture of the Rain Kingdom is still in the process of blossoming, combining a number of forgotten traditions from ancient civilizations, and creating a truly, unique and enriching culture. All members of the Rain Kingdom (called the "Rain People" or "Rain Tribe") enjoy watching the rain and dancing in it.
Ancestry plays a rather important role within the Rain Kingdom. All citizens are encouraged to learn more about their ancestors. The highest honour bestowed on subjects of the Rain Kingdom is the ennobling of a person's ancestors by the Rain King.
Coinage
The kingdom plans to issue both coins (called Rain Crowns) and banknotes (called Rain Dollars) in the near future. Stamps will also be issued.
Current status
The kingdom is in the midst of designing a flag, establishing a government, and conducting diplomatic relations with other "micronations".
While the Rain Kingdom does not maintain any formal territorial claims, in their political theory, the Rain King is ruler of everything on which the rain falls, thus claiming a certain type of "global sovereignty" over certain areas at certain times. As both a secular and temporal ruler, the Rain King claims a certain amount of "ecclesiastical sovereignty" over his faithful subjects, similar to the Vatican City.
No established nation has recognised the Rain Kingdom's sovereignty claims, and the kingdom has no reciprocal diplomatic relations at this time.