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Abstract
This research paper provides valuable information essential to understanding the connection between quinceñeras and how it is celebrated here in the borderlands of the United States and Mexico. Quinceñeras are a Latin American tradition celebrating a girl's 15th birthday and transitioning into womanhood. Quinceañeras are similar to American Sweet Sixteen parties but are celebrated in Latin American cultures, for example, in the Caribbean, and Latino communities in the United States. It has become popular in the United States as more Latinos have migrated there and brought their traditions with them.
Quinceañeras
The Quinceañera celebrates a girl’s fifteenth birthday and is practiced in many Latinx communities throughout the United States and Latin America. Traditionally, the celebration announces a young lady’s maturity and readiness for marriage (Phillips, 2005). In modern times, this event is interpreted by some in the Latino community as an indication that a girl is mature enough to wear high heels, use make-up, and begin dating, as this was the case for me (Phillips, 2005). Here in the U.S., for instance, many families migrating from Mexico continue the ritual practice even for girls who are first-generation United States citizens (Phillips, 2005).
The ritual may be rooted in the indigenous traditions of the region's peoples, now known as Latin America. An example from the article by Wendy E. Phillips, The Quiñceañera: Ritual Roots Transcending Borders, describes the rites marking an Aztec girl’s transition to womanhood. Many migrating peoples preserved the Quinceañera ritual from Latin America to their children here in the United States (Verdin, 2019). The magnitude of the Quinceañera celebration ranges from a small gathering in the family’s home to a massive event with hundreds of guests and participants in a hall (Suzkuki, 2021).
The celebration begins with a mass when the Quinceañera is accompanied by her family and friends and is escorted by her chambelan de honor. At the end of a special Mass such as that for the Quinceañera, the participant may make a votive offering to an altar for the Virgin of Guadalupe (Phillips, 2005). Following the mass portion, that is where the party starts. When it officially begins, she is introduced and then shortly after is crowned with a tiara by one of her godmothers. Another special gift includes an oversized child’s doll, symbolizing “the last time she will play with a doll as a child,” (Romo, 2014). Another gift is a pair of high-heeled shoes. Her father replaces the girl’s flat shoes with high heels, representing the last time a father helps a little girl dress herself (Bibby, 2017). She dances with her father and the “godfathers,” who have provided economic support for the event. The girl is formally presented to her guests and dances a specially choreographed waltz with her male attendants, “Chambelanes.” The waltz culminates in the gesture of the boys lifting the girl overhead on their interlocked arms (Phillips, 2005).
The girl’s parents offer a champagne/cider toast, symbolizing her first adult drink, and thank everyone for coming and helping make this event come to life. The girl is a hostess during the party, greeting her guests and ensuring they are comfortable. The celebration continues into the night with music and dancing. At the end of the party, table decorations and favors are given to the guests as gifts and their gratitude for coming to the party.
Clothes & Dances
In quinceañaras, the quinceañera typically picks a dress to perform at the party. The dresses are usually a vibrant color or a color that stands out. Also, the dresses are a ballgown style because it makes them look like a queen. While wearing dresses, they dance for the audience to spectate.
The dances usually provide more than one person. There is the father-daughter dance, which is very symbolic. It is to acknowledge that the daughter is growing up and that the daughter is being part of womanhood. Not all quinceñaras have that option due to a parent not being present. Another famous dance for a quinceañera is the waltz dance, also known as "el vals." El vals is when la quinceañera dances with chambelanes. Chambelanes can be a group of boys or just a boy that dances elegantly with la quinceañera. The chambelanes are also dressed up in a tuxedo. Most of the time, quinceañeras will do a surprise dance alone or with the chambelanes. Lastly, not all quinceañeras do it, but some quinces will do the dollar dance when la quinceañera is dancing and accepting bills pinned to her dress by the guests.
Foods and Desserts
When given food in quinceañeras, it has a very traditional style. Not everyone has the luxury to rent a place with waiters and waitresses. If they do, they will end up serving food to the guests. Typically, at any quinceañera, a green salad or Caesar salad is given out. After some time, the waitress or whoever brings the food to the table will give meat, rice, and beans. Sometimes, at a quinceañera, they will be given pozole or menudo. After eating, they will bring desserts.
The desserts are typically sweet. They can have coffee or hot chocolate with pan dulce, conchas, and churros. At the party, there can also be a table called "la mesa de dulces," which translates to a table with candies/sweets. La mesa de dulces has different kinds of variants of sweets, such as arroz con leche, gummy worms, lollipops, and more. However, other parties have Tostitos to make tostilocos, which is very popular in the borderlands. Tostilocos are a mixture of Tostitos with cueritos (pickled pork skin), peanuts, jícama (Mexican turnip), sliced cucumber, chamoy, and lime.
Experiences
Myself, Aaron, have had an experience being a quinceañero. However, because I am male, I did not wear a dress. I had a tuxedo on and I looked elegant for my party. I had a mass at a church. After church, I went to my grandparents' house since they had space for me to do a party. I ended up dancing a few songs with my family. It was one of my greatest experiences.
As for me, Saraih, I was fortunate enough to have a Quinceanera. I did not go to church for the Misa portion, but I did have a reception party at my parents' house. My mother told me she wanted to spend money on something other than a hall if we had the space at our house, which I later understood as an adult because halls can be pricey. Besides the party, the best part was when I was able to choose my dress and no one was able to tell me what to do. After that, my stepfather changed my flats to heels, symbolizing that my father was escorting me into womanhood. My friends and family witnessed the event. One of my madrinas also put a crown on my head. I was also given “La ultima muñeca,” the last doll. The father-daughter dance followed, which was my last dance with my father as a child. The vals (waltz) followed. Afterward, I danced the baile sorpresa in front of my friends and family. The night ends when the cake is cut and passed to my friends and family. Then we danced the night away until around 3 in the morning.
Sources
Myoung-Ho, C., & Sang-Sub, H. Quinceañera: a living cultural heritage safeguarding ethnic identity across borders.
Bridges, P. (2001). La Quinceañera: A Hispanic Folk Custom. 2001: A Texas Folklore Odyssey, (58), 155.
Bibby, G. C. (2017). LA QUINCEANERA [University of West Florida].
Phillips, W. E. (2005). The Quinceañera: Ritual Roots Transcending Borders. Diálogo, 9(1), 9.
Romo, L. F., Mireles-Rios, R., & Lopez-Tello, G. (2014). Latina Mothers’ and Daughters’ Expectations for Autonomy at Age 15 (La Quinceañera). Journal of Adolescent Research, 29(2), 271-294.
Verdín, A., & Camacho, J. (2019). Changing Family Identity Through the Quinceañera Ritual. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 41(2), 185-196.
Suzuki, M. (2021). Affording expensive ceremonies: Evidence from quinceaneras in Mexico. Available at SSRN 4624842.
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