A Beautiful Tradition at Lake Chapala Ajjic, Mexico
January 15, 2009
Here’s a great video I found that illustrates one of the most beautiful traditions in Mexico… The Quinceañera.
The Quinceañera or Quince años is a girl’s celebration of her fifteenth birthday, which is sort of a rite of passing from a girl to a young woman.
“Quinceaños” is the name of the event (such as The Wedding) whereas the “Quinceañera” is the girl who is being honored during the event.
The celebration highlights God, family, friends, music, food, and dance. The celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony.
A reception is held in the home or a banquet hall. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz (Vals) or another dance is performed by the Quinceañera and her court.
It is customary for the Quinceañera to receive some or all of the following items for her ceremony:
A tiara, bracelet or ring, earrings, cross or medal, Bible or prayer book and rosary, scepter.
In some ceremonies, the girl will be wearing flats (shoes without elevated heels), such as slippers, and will receive heels during the party.
Cultural equivalents to the quinceañera in the United States are the Bar Mitzvah celebrations for Jewish boys and girls turning 13, the debutant ball, and the sweet sixteen birthday parties.
The Quince años celebrations have also been carried to Texas and I’m sure to other parts of the USA where Mexican immigrants have settled.
As you will see from the video these events can be quite lavish and therefore expensive.
I once knew a Mexican lady in Dallas whose daughter turned 15 and of course wanted her Quince años celebration, but the single Mom just could not afford it; so she scrimped and saved for a whole year; and on her daughter’s sixteenth birthday she was finally able to give her daughter her “Quinceaños”
I was privileged to be invited, and the quinceañera looked radiantly beautiful not unlike a beautiful young fairy princess.
OK, here’s the video….Enjoy !
