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A rite of passage celebration for 15-year-oldgirls in Latin America.Thought to have been based on Aztec ceremonies.Celebrates a young woman’s maturity, andreinforces her commitment to family, tradition, andcommunity.
La Invitación
La parte importante
The most importantcomponent is a Misa deacción de gracias (a massto give thanks.).The birthday girl arrives in afancy full-length dress.
La Misa de Acción de GraciasAccompanied by her parentsand padrinos (godparents),she is specially seated atthe foot of the altarthroughout the service.During the mass, there arechildren who act to place thepillow she will kneel upon atthe altar and sprinkle flowersin her path as she makesher way to the altar.
La CoronaA headpiece is worn during the Mass.Her parents or Godparents exchange theheadpiece with a tiara or crown and she is handeda scepter as well during the mass.The headpiece symbolizes a princess before godand the scepter is used to symbolize the passingon of adult responsibilities.
At the mass, the Quinceañera may also begifted with– una cruz (a cross)
– una biblia (a bible)
– un rosario (rosary) symbolizing her faith.
– The quinceañera’s cross or rosary is oftengiven to signify faith in God, in herself, and inthe world.
El SequitoShe may be accompanied by up to seven damas(maids of honor) and as many chambelanes(chamberlains), selected from among close familyand friends.
El final de la Misa:
At the end of the mass younger sisters, cousins and friendspass out conmemoratorios (commemorative favors) tothose in attendance.The quinceañera puts her bouquet on the altar or in a nichehonoring the Virgin Mary, or most often that of the Virgende Guadalupe.
Conmemoratorios(CommemorativeFavors)
La FiestaLa Quinceañera usually has a party, complete withlive band music.The parents and godparents pay for the expenses.
El baileThe big moment comes when the festejada(celebrant) and her number one chambelán (escort)dance to a traditional waltz.
El PastelAnother highlight is the cutting of the cake.Dripping in meringue frosting and decoratedin hues to match the quinceañera's dress.
– the cake may be of such monumentalproportions that the door leading into the partylocale must be removed from it hinges toaccommodate it!
Cambio de zapatosAt the beginning of theevening, the guest of honorwill wear flat shoes.At the end of the night, she willbe presented with a pair ofelegant, heeled shoes tosignify the maturing of a youngwoman.
La MuñecaA porcelain doll is present, usuallywearing a matching dress to that of theQuinceañera.Covering the doll are ribbons Capiaswith the name and date of the Quinceañera.Towards the end of the celebration, theQuinceañera walks around, passes outthe ribbons and personally thanks eachof the guests who attended.This usually draws an end to the formal celebration ofthe Quinceañera, having begun the day as a child andending the day affirmed in her new position of youngwoman.
