Quinceanera

The Quinceanera, Quinceanero, or Quince anos ("fifteen years" in English), in Latin American culture, is a coming of age ceremony held on a girl's fifteenth birthday, comparable to a Sweet Sixteen celebration. The term Quinceanos refers to the birthday of the celebrant, and the term Quinceanera refers to the celebrant herself. Like many other coming-of-age ceremonies, the Quinceanos is associated with the Quinceanera "becoming a lady". During the celebration, the young lady dances with her father.

History

The Quince anos ceremony came from spanish culture during the later part of the 1800s. In Mexico, this period of the century is called Porfiriato, which is comparable to the Victorian era in Anglo-speaking countries. The Mexican president Porfirio Diaz brought this celebration to Mexican culture due to his admiration of French culture; this includes the Vals (European music) and the term Chambelan.

The meaning of the ceremony has changed over the centuries, but the celebration is becoming more popular in the United States than it is in Latin America. Quince anos celebrated in the United States reflect the family's economic and social status, and the ceremony has become a means of preserving their culture as Latinos become more Americanized. Quince anos are, today, a unique feature of Latino culture.

By 2009 many quinceaneras in the United States have become more elaborate and extravagant.

Quinceanera Celebration

The celebration carries religious significance for Spanish-speaking Roman Catholics. It begins with a religious ceremony in which the Quinceanera affirms her faith. It is customary for the Quinceanera to receive gifts that are religious in nature, such as a cross or medal, a Bible, rosary, or sceptre. The presentation of these gifts by her Padrinos and/or her family members, along with their blessing by the priest, often forms a part of the ceremony.

After the conclusion of the Roman Catholic religious ceremony, a reception is held either in the Quinceanera's home or in a banquet hall. The decor of this reception often resembles that of a wedding. The quinceanera girl/woman carries a doll (representing the last doll of her childhood) intended to represent her childhood. The doll is dressed like the girl. The girl's father exchanges her flat shoes for heels after their dance together. During this exchange of the shoes, the father has the Quinceanera girl/woman give up her doll, symbolizing the Quinceanera girl giving up her childhood and becoming a woman. The quinceanera, will give up also her hair piece, to the next quinceanera to be, and the quinceanera's Godfather will crown her.

This is followed by dances with her father, and then her godfather. The Quinceanera's court is typically composed of her padrinos (godparents) and the Chambelan, a young man who is her companion and date for the evening. The Chambelan typically has the first dance with the Quinceanera, a traditional ballroom "waltz" or "vals". The Chambelan initiates the vals by requesting a dance, to classical music, with the Quincea?era. This girl also must dance a routine dance with the Chambelanes and the Damas. This is followed by the toast given by parents of the quinceanera, and after that the cutting of cake.

Following these initial presentation dances, the guests join the dance floor as well. Godparents play a significant role in the preparations for the Quinceanos, often handling arrangements for the party, church and celebration. The event is the culmination of the godparents' responsibility to oversee the religious upbringing of their goddaughter. Otherwise, it is customary for the Quinceanera's parents to arrange the celebration.