Quinceañera
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The Quinceañera, or Quince años ("fifteen years" in English), in Latin American culture, is a coming of age ceremony held on a girl's fifteenth birthday. The term Quinceaños refers to the birthday of the celebrant, and the term Quinceañera refers to the celebrant herself. Like many other coming-of-age ceremonies, the Quinceaños is associated with the Quinceañera "becoming a lady".
The celebration carries religious significance for Spanish-speaking Roman Catholics. The celebration begins with a religious ceremony in which the Quinceañera affirms her faith. It is customary for the Quinceañera to receive gifts that are religious in nature, such as a cross or medal, a Bible, rosary, or scepter, and these gifts are often a part of the ceremony.
After the conclusion of the Roman Catholic religious ceremony, a reception is held either in the Quinceañera's home or in a banquet hall. Decor of this reception often resembles that of a wedding. The Quinceañera's court is typically comprised of her padrinos (godparents) and a Chambelan, a young man who is her companion and date for the evening. The Chambelan typically has the first dance with the Quinceañera, a traditional ballroom waltz called a "Waltz". The Chambelan initiates the Vals by requesting a dance with the Quinceañera to a classical song, followed by dances with her requested by her father or another close male relative such as an uncle or older brother, and then her godfather. Following these initial presentation dances, the guests join the dance floor as well. Some Latino cultures have the girl's first dance begin with her father as her partner, and then he is cut in on by her escort. Godparents play a significant role in the preparations for the Quinceaños, often handling arrangements for the party, church and celebration. The event is the culmination of their responsibility in the church to oversee the religious upbringing of their goddaughter.
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[edit] In popular culture
- Quinceañera, a 2006 film
- Quinceañera, a television soap opera
- On the TV series Wizards of Waverly Place, Alex has her Quinceaños. (2008)
- On the TV series The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody, Estibon the bell hop's sister's and he needs money for it so he starts a dance class
[edit] History
- The Quinceañera ritual has been traced to 500 B.C. from the Aztec culture where a girl at the age of 15 was considered apt for motherhood. They celebrated this coming to age with a ceremony, dance, and some words of wisdom by the mother. When the Spanish conquered America, they adopted this tradition and the Catholic Church replaced the dancing with a Waltz, and the Aztec Temple with a Catholic Church.
- The Quince años ceremony came from French culture during the 1800s. In Mexico, this 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; today, the celebration is becoming more popular in the United States than it is in Mexico. Quince años celebrated in the United States represent the family's economic and social status. The ceremony has become a need to celebrate, so that Mexicans can preserve their culture as they become more Americanized. Quince años separate Mexican culture from any other in the United States.
It is celebrated by most Latin America countries as well
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Bertrand, Diane Gonzalez. Sweet Fifteen, Houston: Piñata Books (1995).
- Davalos, Karen Mary. "La Quinceanera: Making Gender and Ethnic Identities", Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, Vol. 16, No. 2/3, Gender, Nations, and Nationalisms (1996), pp. 101 – 127
- King, Elizabeth. Quinceañera : celebrating fifteen, New York: Dutton's Children's Books (1998).
- Horowitz, Ruth. "The power of ritual in a Chicano community: a young woman's status and expanding family ties". Marriage & Family Review (Jan. 1993): 257. Academic Search Complete . EBSCO. Cabell Library, Richmond, Va. 8 Apr. 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,url,cookie,uid&db=a9h&AN=27461232&site=ehost-live&scope=site>.
