History of a Quinceanera
The transition from childhood to womanhood is an important
event in almost any culture. Hispanics, however, mark this memorable
occasion with the celebration of a Quinceanera or Sweet
15. The Quinceanera tradition is believed to have
started many years ago when the Spanish conquerors brought the
tradition to Mexico and others say the tradition originated with the
Aztecs. Regardless, a Quinceanera celebration is a Hispanic
tradition associated with Mexican, central and South American
cultures. Through the different ceremonies that take place today,
the young Quinceanera is formally introduced to society and
it is a day to give thanks for having reached this
age.
The coordination of the entire
Quinceanera event is a teamwork effort of family, friends
and relatives. Very strong family ties come into play. It is
customary that all these family, friends and relatives will
volunteer to be padrinos or sponsors. Each sponsor takes financial
and/or moral responsibility over what they have been assigned
including the cake, invitations, doll, bible, rosary,
etc.
It is customary that the Quinceanera
will wear a ball gown usually with a petticoat
or crinolina underneath to make the dress look extra puffy,
and a crown
or tiara
along with her gloves. In the United States the dress is most
commonly of white color, while in other countries such as Mexico it
is very common to see the Quinceanera wear a pastel color dress or
even red, royal blue, or burgundy.
Quinceanera
accessories usually include:
Traditionally, the celebration
will usually consist of have fourteen young girls called
damas and fourteen young men called chambelanes,
in addition to the Quinceanera s own chambelan de honor.
Nowadays, Quinceaneras will sometimes choose to have only seven
damas and seven chambelans. Quinceaneras can also choose to have
only all damas or all chambelanes. Typically the damas will all wear
same color and style gowns to coordinate with the Quinceanera
gown and the boys wear coordinating tuxedos.
The
actual Quinceanera celebration consists of several parts.
It is traditional to have a special thanksgiving mass or ceremony,
followed by the reception and the banquet, and not to forget the
famous quinceanrea waltz or el bals.
After months of practice for the waltz, the moment
finally comes during the reception. It is assumed that the
Quinceanera prior to this date has not been able to dance with
anyone before. It is at this time that the Quinceanera will dance
the waltz with her chambelan and accompanied by her damas and other
chambelanes. This is a major highlight of the celebration. Other
important highlights will follow such as the toast and the cutting
of the cake.
Without a doubt the Quinceanera
celebration is a major Hispanic tradition where family, friends
and relatives will go thru every effort to attend and participate in
this celebration.
The entire festivity is full of
spiritual and emotional moments, and composed of several events that
take place, where God, thanksgiving, food, music and dance are the
mix of ingredients for a joyous culmination after months of
planning.
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