La Quinceanera or the Quince Anos
Hispanic Fifteenth Birthday Celebration is a Latin Sweet Fifteen
May 5, 2009
In North America, girls celebrate the sweet sixteen birthday. In Jewish culture, the Bar or Bat Mitzvah signifies a coming of age at 12 or 13 years old. In the cultures of Latin America, Hispanic girls mark their coming of age at 15 years old with a quinceanera or quince anos celebration, the traditional passage from childhood into womanhood.
Meaning of the Quinceanera or Quinceanos
"Quince años" literally means "fifteen years" in Spanish, and quince anos or quinceanos is used to refer to the fifteenth birthday itself. "La quinceañera" is the fifteen year old birthday girl, and is also used as the name of the celebration of her coming of age and entry into adulthood.
The quinceanera is a traditional celebration something like a cross between an American sweet sixteen party and a debutante ball. It marks a child's passage from girl to woman, becoming a lady and, historically, of an age to be married.
Religious Significance of the Quinceanos
The quince anos is especially important to Roman Catholics, who mark a girl's fifteenth birthday with a religious mass and by presenting gifts like a rosary, a cross, a Bible or sceptre to the young woman. The quinceanera celebration typically begins with a religious ceremony where the lady of the hour affirms her faith before friends, family, and god.
Friends and Family of the Quinceanera
The godparents take a prominent role in the quinceanera celebration, as part of the young woman's "court." The court also includes her parents and up to seven "damas" (maids of honor" and seven chamberlains. Her best friend is typically among the maids of honor, but wears a distinct dress that makes her stand out from the crowd.
Rites of Passage at the Quinceanera Celebration
Different families may choose some or all of the following traditions to mark the quinceaneras coming of age:
- Changing of the Shoes: The young woman is ceremonially seated on a chair while her father or grandfather changes her flat shoes for high heels, a visible symbol of her passage into womanhood. This can also be done with a tiara, or grandfather and father may each present one to the quinceanera.
- The Brindis: A special toast, known as the brindis, is used to wish the quinceanera the best and to congratulate her on this major milestone.
- The Last Doll: This special doll is presented to the quinceanera as a symbol of the trappings of childhood she must leave behind and the passage into adulthood.
Hispanic families living in the United States may choose to commemorate their daughter's coming of age as a sweet sixteen instead of on the traditional quince anos birthday, but the same rituals are preserved.
The quinceanera party typically involves music, dancing, a great deal of food and wine, a cake of epic proportions, and extravagant party favors.
Sources
Palfrey, Dale Hoyt, "La Quinceañera – an Hispanic celebration of budding womanhood," Mexconnect.com, 1 May 2008.
Quinceanera-Boutique, "The Quinceanera Tradition," Quinceanera-Boutique.com, 2008.
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