Café Spanglish
Summer 2015
What is a Quinceañera?
by Maribell Sarate
The word Quinceañera comes from the Spanish
word quince (15) and años (years). In the hispanic
tradition Quinceañera is a girl who is turning 15
years old , this special birthday is celebrated with a
glamorous reception called “Fiesta de quince años” or
“Quinceañera”. During this party, the girl is presented
to society as a young lady. This tradition traveled from
Europe to the countries conquered by the Spanish
crown in the 1500’s.
In some Central American countries, the reception is
preceded by a religious ceremony at church where a
XV pillow specially decorated with the Quinceañera’s
name is available for
the birthday girl to kneel
during the ceremony.
Every little girl dreams
of this special event
in their lives. Parents
start planning it one or
two years early. The
celebration may include
a mariachi band, a feast
and over 200 guests,
similar to a wedding. This
is rather an expensive
party where there must
be special decorations, a throne or decorated chair
where the Quinceañera would seat at the reception,
a 3 to 5 tier cake decorated according to the colors
of the Quinceañera’s dress. The birthday girl wears
a ball gown,
which can cost
anywhere from
$1000 to $3000
or more.
An escort
formed of
7 couples,
called damas y
chambelanes
who are dressed
in gowns and
tuxedos. The
escorts are the Quinceañera’s friends and represents
the past 14 years of her life. The escorts would
rehearse a waltz to be performed at the party in
honor to the Quinceañera.
The girl’s parents or godparents must present her
the following gifts for her ceremony: Tiara, bracelet
or ring, earrings, necklace, prayer book and rosary,
flower bouquet, Quinceañera doll, scepter, XV guest
registry book, XV photo album, XV gift pillows,
Quinceañera flats and heels, engraved cake server
set and engraved champagne glasses.
During the Ceremony either her mother or godmother
would present her with a doll, this doll is the last
toy she would receive as little girl, then her father
changes the girl’s flat shoes for her first high heeled
shoes. There would be a toast to the Quinceañera,
and then, the girl will do her first dance with her
father,
hereafter all gentleman in the room take turns to
dance with the birthday girl. This must be done by
tapping on the man’s shoulder and bowing politely.
After the dance, the Quinceañera and her
Chambelán walks among her guests thanking
them for their presence and presenting them with a
memento or recordatorio of the occasion.
This beautiful celebration is widely celebrated in USA
especially for 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation latino girls.
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