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History of Quinceañera
The history of Quinceañera dates back to the Aztecs, at approximately 500BC. The word Quinceañera, is made up of two parts: quince (fifteen) and anera or anos (year). Literally translated to fifteen years, it refers to a girl’s fifteenth birthday.
By the age of fifteen, boys were expected to become warriors and fulfill their father’s expectations. For girls, it was the time in their life when they were presented to the community as young ladies, no longer girls. Fifteen year old Aztec females were considered women and were given all of the responsibilities that come along with womanhood. An enormously significant rite of passage, the quinceañera is also a tremendous honor, one that Mexican girls today look forward to with pride and happiness. Every other birthday before and after may come and go with out much ceremony, but the fifteenth is an event filled with celebration.
The quinceañera proceedings begin with a Mass of Thanksgiving, called the Misa de Accion de Gracias. The young quinceañera is accompanied by a head chamberlain, other chamberlains, maids of honor, called damas, her godparents, called padrinos, and her parents. Everyone is formally dressed and the day resembles a wedding. The chamberlains wear tuxedos, the damas wear gowns similar to bridesmaid dresses, and the quinceañera will wear a gown, traditionally pink. To distinguish her from the crowd, the quinceañera may wear a tiara and or other special jewelry. The mass, held in the family’s church, is a reaffirmation of the girl’s baptismal vows made for her by her parents as a baby.
Throughout history, music has always been an integral part of Spanish and Latino life. Even in ancient Aztec times, music was the thread that held the atmosphere of the community together. Everyone would dance and sing and pray along together. One of the oldest traditions of the quinceañera with the Father/Daughter dance. This first dance has the father taking his girl’s hand, inviting her to dance a waltz with him. This is an important symbol of his recognition that his little girl is now a lady and should be treated as such.
What started as a Mexican festival has been adopted by other countries in South America, and the tradition has been carried into the United States. As the years go by, the celebrations become more grandiose. It has become the fashion among Latino families in the U.S. to hold a sweet fifteen party for their daughter’s coming of age. And it continues to bring communities together, just as it did so many centuries ago.
Today, just as in 500 B.C., the quinceañera celebration thrives. It is a family day of happiness and memories to cherish forever.
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