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The Quinceañera or Quince Años (sometimes represented XV Años, meaning "fifteen years") is, in some Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas, a young woman's celebration of her fifteenth birthday, which is commemorated in a unique and different way from her other birthdays. In some countries, such as Puerto Rico or Peru, the word Quinceañero is used instead of Quinceañera when referring to the celebration.

Besides referring to the actual festivities, the word is also used to refer to the young woman whose 15th birthday is being celebrated (analogous to the word cumpleañera for "birthday girl"). The closest equivalents to the Quinceañera in the English-speaking world are the sweet sixteen or, in more affluent communities, the debutante ball for those who turn eighteen.

History

There are several different theories as to the origin of this celebration; the most common theory is that the Quinceañera was the result of the blending of the traditions from both Spanish conquerors and the native people in Mexico. Specifically, this celebration contains elements of the the coming of age traditions and ceremonies of the native people along with elements from Spanish culture. The Quinceañera resembles and probably gets its name from a 16th-century Spanish tradition of presenting one's 15 year old daughter to society. Over time, as the natives were converted to Catholicism by the missionaries, they also began to emulate some of the practices of the Spanish.

Mexico

you suck

Puerto Rico

At a Quinceañera the party girl is accompanied by her relatives and friends. They join her for a religious ceremony and then for the party. The party usually starts when the quinceañera enters the room by walking arm-in-arm with her father, or she goes down a set of stairs while her chosen song plays in the background. At the bottom, she meets with her father and they first dance to a waltz, and then she dances with her male relatives or friends. She may then dance with her boyfriend ("novio") if she has one. She might also do a ritual involving flowers and candles. Fifteen chambelanes await at the bottom of some stairs with a rose or flower and they do traditional "Quince" dances. After this, the birthday girl can choose to dance or sing to entertain her guests.

Cuba

The custom entered the country partly due to Spanish influence, but more so because of the French influence. Wealthy families, who could afford to rent luxurious halls at country clubs or 4/5-star hotels and to hire choreographers, were the actual pioneers of Quinceañeras. Although lower-income families could not afford the same display of wealth, they too started to celebrate Quinceañeras, which they called Quinces. Those celebrations usually took place at the home of the Quinceañera or at the more spacious house of a relative. Quinceañeras were very popular in Cuba until the late 1970s, yet the practice is still relatively common today.

In Cuba the Quinceañera is often considered to be one of the most important days of a young woman's life because it officially marks the transition from child to adult. Usually the quinceañera wears a big white dress. The Quinceañera may include a choreographed group dance, in which 15 couples waltz around her, led by one of the top dancers or her boyfriend. Sometimes the choreography includes four or six other skilled dancers called escortes (escorts). They are allowed to dance around the quinceañera and are usually dancers adept at improvisation whose movements are intended to highlight the central couple for the spectators. They are also allowed to dress in different colored tuxedos.

Peru

In Peru the parties may vary depending on many factors such as the socioeconomic level of the family. Regardless of how much money is spent, every person dresses elegantly for the party and there may be extravagant decorations. Usually the quinceañera goes down a staircase while a song she had chosen is being played. At the bottom, 15 boys await, each with a rose or other flower, while 15 girls await with candles. The quinceañera then takes a flower and blows a candle until she has gathered all the flowers and blown out all the candles. Then, she goes to the dancing area, where she dances a waltz with her father, godfather and/or grandfather. Then she may dance with her boyfriend, the chamberlain (chambelán), to a waltz or song of her choice. If she does not have a boyfriend, she may choose somebody special (such as a brother, cousin or friend), or throw a bouquet, in which case the boy who catches it may dance with her. She can also choose to omit the dance. After the quinceañera dances, everyone at the party may dance. Since modern music is used, there is a modern party atmosphere with formal dress.

Spain

In Spain, the vast majority of Spanish girls don't celebrate a Quinceañera , except those of Latin American origin. In higher social circles, though, some girls have something called Puesta de Largo, which is an introduction or presentation to the relatives or friends of her family as a woman. On this special day the quinceañera generally gets just about any present she asks for. Most wealthy families throw huge parties to celebrate the beginning of their daughter's womanhood. In this tradition there are 15 couples and this dance is led by a top dancer or the girl's boyfriend.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, Quinceañeras are traditionally called Fiesta Rosa perhaps because of the traditional color of the dress of the birthday girl, pink ("rosa" in Spanish). When the young Salvadoran woman turns 15 she is welcomed to womanhood by giving her a large ceremony. This is a traditional party where all her friends and relatives attend in order to celebrate the fact that she is now a woman. She is dressed as a mini bride, with the pink dress and and has the first dance with her father. There are three steps to the ceremony; first the separation from her parents when she must blow out her candles or accept her flowers, then the transitional state, where she is no longer an adolescent, but not yet a full woman, and finally the re-integration to womanhood. The next morning when she awakes she is deemed a real woman, ready for greater responsibilities.(kessia,2007)

United States

Because of the large population of Latino people in all areas of the United States, the Quinceañera celebration is becoming common. However, the way that it is celebrated can differ greatly depending on location, family tradition, and religion.

In Southern California, it is often the practice for many family members or "Padrinos" (godparents) to contribute funds for this special day. The Padrinos may be asked to provide for the quinceañera's dress, shoes, centerpieces, cost for the hall , alcoholic beverages or other various items that are essential for a Quinceañera. In some Quinceañeras there will be up to thirty different padrinos providing for practically every aspect of the party and religious ceremony. This ideally allows all girls to have the equal opportunity to be honored on this special day, regardless of family wealth.

There are some traditions that seem to be practiced almost everywhere like the changing of the shoes, the first dance, and the quinceañera traditionally being dressed in a ball gown. However, all other aspects of the Quinceañera have become subject to the young girl and her family wishes. Some families celebrate the Quinceañera just as one big party. For other families, though, it is a deeply religious event and the young lady needs to have maintained a certain standard of modesty and behavior to be given the privilege of having a Quinceañera.

Until recently, there has been lacking a formal ritual for Quinceañeras for use within the U.S. Roman Catholic Church; priests and deacons have been left to adapt liturgies to the needs of the celebration. On August 7, 2007 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a formal ritual, approved by the Vatican, to be used in the context of Eucharistic liturgies, with adaptations for Liturgies of the Word. The rite may be found at this address: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/Quinceanera.pdf

Quinceañera sites

• YourQuinces.com Great Resource for all Quinceañeras
• Quinceañera Cruises
• Quinceañera in the US
• Quinceañera in the US
• Quinceañera in Latin America
• http://www.quinceaneraconnect.com Quinceanera book author site
• http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/Quinceanera.pdf The Official Roman Catholic Ritual for Quinceañeras promulgated by the USCCB, August 7, 2007

• Articles lacking sources from October 2007
• Birthdays