WHAT
IS A
Quinceañera ?
The Quinceañera is the Latina coming-of-age celebration on a girl's 15th
birthday. The word "quinceañera" is derived from the Spanish words "quince"
for 15 and "años" for years.
WHO CELEBRATES IT?
The Quinceañera is one of the few universal Latin American occasions,
celebrated from Mexico to Argentina.
In the United States the tradition thrives, particularly among second and third
generation Hispanic girls.
WHAT IS ITS HISTORY?
The Quinceañera has its origins many centuries ago when both boys and
girls participated in rites of passage.
To prepare for "womanhood,"
girls were separated from other children at the age of 15 so the
elder women could teach them about their future roles as members
of family and community. During the official rites of passage,
the community would thank the gods for the future wives and mothers,
and the young women would vow to serve the community.
Later, missionaries turned the event into a personal affirmation of faith by
the young women and a pledge to become good Christian wives and mothers.
A church celebration became an important part of the occasion.
Today, the Quinceañera
celebration often is a lavish party that includes a mariachi band, a feast
and many guests – much like a wedding. The young woman wears an
elaborate dress in pink, white, light blue or lavender.
Traditions include
receiving a church blessing, having 14 attendants and escorts to represent
the previous 14 years of life, presenting a porcelain doll to a younger sister
to symbolize leaving childhood behind, changing from flats into high-heeled
shoes to represent becoming a young woman, and dancing the first dance with
the young woman's father. |
