A in Spanish, or quinceañera in the United States, is a coming of age celebration in Latin American cultures for a girl's 15th birthday. The Spanish names for the celebration can be literally translated to English as the "celebration of the 15-year-old" (, ), "15 years" (, ) or just "15" ().
Practices or traditions for the event can vary across different cultures and can take on religious overtones, but typically involve food, dancing, music, and the girl of honor wearing a tiara.
History
Contemporary festivities combine Catholic traditions from old Spain with the traditions of indigenous heritages of pre-Columbian Mexico, along with a few modern twists, and rely heavily on European influence from the period of the Second Mexican Empire. For example, in ancient Mexico, the Aztecs and other indigenous peoples had many different ceremonies to mark the passage through the various stages of life. The marked a young woman's transition to adulthood, as she was presented, as a virgin, to the community for probable suitors.
Other origin stories attribute quinceañera history to the Duchess of Alba in Spain, who hosted a ball at her palace and invited adolescent girls to attend in formal clothes.This tradition continued and was reinforced when Empress Carlota of Mexico, granddaughter of the Louis Philippe I of France, threw a similar reception for her court in Mexico City—presenting young women as eligible for marriage. The traditions of the quinceañera wearing elaborate ball gowns, utilizing courtly European social customs, and ballroom dancing coincides with the styles and customs of the period of the Second Mexican Empire, which was an extension of the European royal courts of the time.
In a traditional Mexican , young women and men have roles as formal and , who perform special bends at the celebration, along with the herself. There is also a "man of honor" who accompanies the young woman. Potential suitors present gifts to her family to make up a dowry or bridal wealth. Prior to her being given away, the women of the community participate by instructing the in her duties and responsibilities, urging her to follow the correct path, by remaining true to her people and their traditions throughout her life.
The meaning behind the has become more refined over time and varies between different regions.
In rural societies, girls were considered ready for marriage once they turned 15. In the 20th century, the received certain privileges associated with womanhood: permission to attend adult parties, pluck her eyebrows and shave her legs, wear makeup, jewelry and high heels. When this tradition originated, the was a small party to celebrate the transition. Friends and family gathered in order to give the girl a chance to mingle with young men. Rich families celebrated with big parties and elaborate dresses, and sent announcements to newspapers to publicize the event.
In the 1960s, immigrants to the United States brought the quinceañera with them. Affluent immigrants who had formerly been poor were able to have big parties like those in their home country. Family and friends often help put on the event, for example, by making food.
From a simple food and cake celebration, it has developed among wealthier families to become an occasion for a big party. Families may use event planners, and develop a celebration with a theme, to be staged with a special entrance and dances, and captured by professional photoshoots and video. Modern celebrations also incorporate traditions from other cultures. Markets for event planners and -related products have developed. Methods of celebration This celebration is different from any other event marking a person's birthday, since it marks the transition from childhood to young womanhood. Scholar Yyonne Vissing said that this celebration may begin "with a religious ceremony," is followed by a party featuring food, music, dancing, and fancy dressing, and called it a tradition which "celebrates a young girl’s journey from childhood to maturity." Historically, in the years prior to their 15th birthdays, girls learned about cooking, weaving, and childbearing from the elder women in their communities in preparation for their future roles as wives. During the celebration the girl's father would present her to potential suitors.
In the past, parallel customs could be found in Southern Europe, mainly Spain and France. Today, the custom remains strongest in Mexico, its likely country of introduction during the viceregal or Mexican imperial periods. However, it is widely celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas. The grandest parties are comparable to British and American debutante balls. The celebrations themselves vary significantly in different countries; for example, the festivities in some have taken on more religious overtones than in others. Nowadays, the is also celebrated by many Latino Americans in the United States, each according to their traditions.
In Brazil, a Portuguese-speaking country, a similar celebration is called , , or . In the French Caribbean and French Guiana, it is called , a term which is also used to refer to similar ceremonies in Mexico City's historic center. Can also read by going to this link
In specific countries
Cuba In Cuba, the party may include a choreographed group dance, in which 14 couples waltz around the , who is accompanied by one of the main dancers, a boy of her choice, or her boyfriend. The choreography often includes four or six dancers or escorts called experts, who are allowed to dance around the . They are usually inexperienced dancers whose function is to highlight the central couple. The male dancers are also allowed to wear tuxedos in different colors.
Fifteenth-birthday celebrations were very popular in Cuba until the late 1970s. This practice partly entered Cuba via Spain, but the greatest influence was the French. The wealthy families who could afford to rent expensive dining rooms in private clubs or hotels of four and five stars held celebrations that were the precursors of , which they called . These celebrations usually took place in the house of the girl or the more spacious house of a relative.
Another tradition, commonly found in Cuba, is to have 14 ladies and 14 escorts (sometimes 7 each) as a court. The escorts hold flowers (usually roses) and the ladies carry candles. As the dances the waltz with her father, she blows out one candle, then picks up one rose. This continues until she has blown out all the candles and picked up all the roses. The 14 candles blown out represent her 14 previous years, and with each she makes a wish. When the time comes to cut the cake, the will blow out her last candle, thus completing her 15 wishes. The flowers are given to her mother.
Colombia In Colombia, the starts with the arrival of the birthday girl, accompanied by her father. She is then received by her mother and other relatives and friends; the father and daughter dance a waltz and other tunes. The birthday girl next dances with her brothers (if any) and their uncles and godparents. Then she performs the and the waltz with all members of the procession (then optional dances to other music, such as merengue or pop).
For this occasion the teenager wears an evening dress in light colors or pastels, is dressed and made up slightly, and usually places a tiara in her hair and jewels on her neck and hands. All the guests dress in formal attire, including the teenager's peers.
After the first dance, the teenager and her friends have a dance. Then the festival begins with music from live bands, some famous artists, DJs, food, drink, and at one late point of the night a is carried out, in which the attendants wear masks or funny wigs and make noise with whistles and rattles while fast-tempo music is played. It is optional to make some surprise dance performed by the birthday girl (alone or accompanied), and a dance that will give away her friends, cousins, and others.
The custom's social significance is such that even poor families tend to spend lavishly on a daughter's . The event can cost as much as a year's wages, and many take up debt to be able to pay for it.
French Guiana and French Caribbean In French Guiana and the French Caribbean, the celebration is known as . It follows a similar structure.
Mexico In Mexico, the is adorned with elegant jewelry and makeup. By tradition, this was to be the first time she would wear makeup in public, but in the 21st century, girls start using makeup at an earlier age. The is also expected to wear a formal evening dress, traditionally a long, elegant ball gown chosen by the girl and most often, her mother, according to her favorite color and style.
In the Mexican Catholic tradition, the celebration begins with a thanksgiving Mass. She arrives at church accompanied by her parents, godparents, and court of honor. The court of honor is a group of her chosen peers consisting of paired-off girls and boys, respectively known as (dames) and (chamberlains). Typically, the court consists of pairs ranging from 7 to 15 and . It is also okay for the quinceañera to choose to have only damas or only chambelanes in her court.
At this religious mass, a Rosary, or sometimes a necklace with a locket or pendant depicting Mexico's patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, is presented to the teenager by her godparents, the necklace or rosary having been previously blessed by the priest. She is also awarded a tiara, which serves as a reminder that to her loved ones, especially her immediate family, the will always be a princess. Some also see it as denoting that she is a "princess" before God and the world. After this, the girl may leave her bouquet of flowers on the altar for the Virgin Mary.
After the thanksgiving mass, guests gather for a celebratory reception where the events to honor the will take place, including giving gifts. This reception may be held at the 's home, at venues (such as dining halls, banquet halls, or casinos), or in some cases, in more public places, similar to a block party. During the reception, the birthday girl usually dances a traditional waltz with her father to a song chosen by both that speaks about the occasion and their relationship.
A popular waltz song traditionally played during the dance is Tiempo de Vals by Chayanne. Then her father passes her to the , her chosen escort, and afterward they continue the dance with the rest of her court of honor. Often this section of the celebration is previously practiced and/or choreographed, often weeks in advance, sometimes even with months of anticipation.
The basic reception has six major parts with dances taking place while a traditional Mexican meal is served: The formal entry () – A grand entrance made by the once most guests have been seated. The formal toast ()– An optional but usually featured part of the reception, generally initiated by the parents or godparents of the birthday girl. The first dance – Usually a waltz where the girl dances, starting with her father. The family dance – Usually a waltz involving just the immediate relatives, the , godparents, and the closest friends of the girl. The preferred song () – Any modern song particularly enjoyed by the is played and danced. The general dance – Also usually a traditional waltz. Traditionally, Mexican girls could not dance in public until they turned 15, except at school dances or at family events. So the waltz with her is choreographed and elaborate to celebrate what was meant to be the 's first public dance.