Quinceñera Research Paper

Marked as a celebration of the transition from childhood to womanhood, quinceaneras have been a long-standing tradition among Latin American families. Though “quinceanera” literally means “fifteen year old girl,” the term has become more closely associated with the celebration itself, oftentimes by non-latinx people. Among Latin American families and culture, the celebration is often referred to as “fiesta de quince años” (fifteen year party) or simply a “quinces.” To avoid any confusion, I use “quinceanera” to refer to the celebration, rather than the individual, for the remainder of this paper. Historically, fifteen was seen as the age when Latina girls were ready for marriage, and the quinceanera celebrated that transition. While modern quinceaneras have drifted away from this initial intent, and now reflect more of a celebratory coming of age narrative, the marriage and wedding-related symbolism is still apparent.

Dancing” three woman represent a cultural shift of Puerto Rican immigrants, by each woman's lifestyle was one was halfway Americanized half Puerto Rican looking, one was Americanized, and one was still in the Puerto Rican culture. In the home movie, there were three women the cousin, mother, and the brother's girlfriend sitting on the couch together wearing all red dresses, During the time of the party, each woman is experiencing something different just by looking at how they were dressed. During the home movie, All three are years younger and older than each other. The author had asked her mother why every woman at the party was in a red dress, all the mother could say was that it was all a coincidence.(52)

Most people, especially girls shop for an outstanding birthday outfit to wear. No other wardrobe can relate to what you wear for your quinceañera. It is the only birthday where a Mexican girl could actually feel like a princess. She wears a beautiful crown covered in rhinestones that essentials her up do with a gorgeous scepter that contributes to the tiara. Her dress is what makes her the starlight of the night. It is big and puffy as a “Cinderella dress” embracing her figure. There is not another birthday that it is usual for a girl to wear what a quinceanera wears, and that is what makes the night distinctive from any another birthday.

The Hispanic culture has different values, beliefs, and traditions. Family is highly value. Family is a close-knit group and the most important social group to gather in any events or special days. The Hispanic “family unit” includes not only parents and children but also grandparents and extended family. Individuals within the family have moral responsibilities to help other members of the family experiencing financial problems, unemployment, health conditions and any other life issues. They show the importance placed upon relationship within their family extending a hand in good times and bad. Respeto y dignidad (respect and dignity) are other important values of the Hispanic culture. Children’s are taught to avoid confrontations with parents and older persons, and to be obedient and respectful. The Hispanics believe that the father is head of the family and the mother is to take care of home. Naming children after grandparents and parents is fairly common. A well-known tradition is the celebration of a fifteen year old girl called Quincenera. Hispanics culture and traditions are based around celebrating and spending time with love ones.

Their family got together every opportunity they could. They had many traditional things they did as a family such as a gathering of family every year for her grandmother’s death, but as a celebration. Every year on Christmas Eve her family would also draw together to exchange gifts at different relative’s houses. The interviewee stated this became a tradition for her family because the married people in the family had to attend festivities at their spouses’ relatives. English and Spanish are both spoken in the Hispanics households. The majority of the older members of the family only speak Spanish. My interviewee stated that she did not know how to speak Spanish, but her mother did and fluently. She stated that her mother has always told her that she needed to know Spanish because that was her heritage, but she never felt it very necessary. The Hispanic culture celebrates the coming of age which is called a 15 or Quinceaneras. The Quinceanernas is usually a big production for the girls. The girls have escorts and dress in a formal type ballroom dress and have many of her friends and relatives there for the celebration. My interviewee stated that she did not have a Quinceaneras because she did not really get into it. She also stated that she got pregnant and did not want her parents to spend all that money for the celebration. The boys on the other hand do not go all out with this type of celebration, but instead celebrate at their

It can range from a fairytale princess, Cinderella, fairies and butterflies to precious moments in her life. And the third step is having a waltz. In most countries they have traditional customs were the quinceanera dances the first dance with her father. While dancing they play favorite quinceanera songs which are De Niña a Mujer (From Child to Woman) and La Ultima Muñeca (The Last Doll). It’s a special moment in time when the father and daughter are dancing. And the last step in having accessories for quinceanera includes dresses, tiaras, guest book, photo albums, champagne glasses, dolls, bibles, decorations and planning. In most countries in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central, and South America it’s a traditional and custom that their godparents and their parents pay for everything for her quinceanera on her fifteenth birthday. After cousin Christian finished explaining to me, she continued walking down the hall to begin to celebrate her fifteenth birthday. I told myself to never forget the first quinceanera I attended, and what she told me.

This narrative speaks volumes about the author’s culture, which describes her religion, as well as the lifestyle of typical Hispanic families. In Latino or Chicano culture, we find that gender as well as religion plays a huge role in the lives of many individuals, causing them to shape a stereotypical kind of culture. Catholicism is one of the major forms of religion in Hispanic and Latin countries due to the influence from the Europeans. This made many of the Latin American Countries adopt this religious practice regardless of their belief. To this day, many practice Catholicism as a way to appeal to cultural norms. We see the importance of religion to the girl’s family, especially her father. Throughout the story we see the girl’s search for her own religious relationship through her abuela instead of the one forced upon her by her parents. The other influence that culture has is on gender roles within the family dynamic. Throughout the story we see the girl made fun of for her hands and for being different. This is because in latin culture girls are supposed to be dainty and gentle. They were not meant to be violent or rash, like the young teenage girl was. The gender roles constructed by culture were what her father tried to assign her into, and her mother enforcing them,

The conversion from childhood to womanhood is an extremely significant event in practically any culture. This event is known as a Quinceañera, also called fiesta de quince años, fiesta de quinceañera, quince años, quinceañero or commonly known as quince which is consisted of a celebration of a girl 's fifteenth birthday with cultural roots in Latin America but celebrated all over America. Nonetheless, Hispanics, recognize this occasion by doing the celebration of a Quinceañera. The Quinceañera tradition is believed to have initiated several years ago when the Spanish conquerors initiated the tradition in Mexico while others believe the tradition began with the Aztecs. During that ancestral home of the Aztec Indians, whose empire succeeded

A Quinceanera is a celebration of a Hispanic girl turning fifteen years old. It recognizes her coming to age. It is usually a religious event. There is food, music, and dancing at the party. Many americans girl now have a sweet sixteen. This came from a Quinceanera and Americans borrowed it. Hispanic girls in America also do sweet sixteens, but they are exactly the same as Quinceanera. They still are mainly based around religion. They also still have food, music, and dancing. A Quinceanera has many other names such as,Quince Anos, a quinces, a Quinceanero, or a Fiesta Rosa. A Quinceanera is a very big deal for teenage Hispanic girls. The party is only about them. They dress up in very expensive dresses and they get to pick the food that they

Quinceanera is one of the most meaningful and beautiful occasions in Mexican culture. It embarks the celebration of girl’s fifteen birthday that is anticipated with much happiness and enjoyment. It is a celebration of womanhood means she is fully ready to take on her responsibilities and is of marriageable age. The ceremony is celebrated with zest and zeal by the parents.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin sentenced a Charleston man Thursday to 70 months in federal prison for gun crime, announced U.S. Attorney Carol Casto.

In the Spanish and Portuguese colonies there were many runaway slaves who formed surrounding villages around the fazendas. Groups of runaways slaves would gather in secluded areas, often blocked by thick forest and canopy, in addition there were many times that there would be a physical barrier between the runaway slave villages, often called the palenques or quilombos, and the towns of the spanish colonies. Quilombos would arise almost everywhere where there was a sugar cane engeiro and around the mines, they were common all throughout Central and Southern America. The villages sufficed themselves sustainability through a couple of practices; many of them gained great autonomy and achieved numbers of sometimes thousands. Some quilombos would ask for tributes of what the expeditioners had if they were to go through their territory. Some quilombos would also make alliances that would help ensure the survival of their villages; countries like England and the Netherlands were launching expeditions into the americas but they were against the monopolized trade systems that was being controlled by the

On the Iron View peninsula lies one of the greatest ancient civilizations of all time, Quida. Quida started in 1560 B.C.E. Quida was the center of trade, had most advanced technology of their time, and a great location. Quida’s symbol was the mountain lion and their colors were blue and black which appeared on their flag in a stripe pattern. On the Iron View peninsula, there was a variety of geographical features that helped the people of Quida. There are two major rivers in the country and a mountain range with vast amounts of minerals. Quida is connected to the mainland by a narrow piece of land on which the people of Quida have built a wall.

After dinner, presentations were given by the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL), Black Student Union (BSU), Hmong Student Union (HSU) and the Asian Student Association (ASA). SOL demonstrated the basics of celebrating a quinceanera, including the religious aspects and ritualistic behaviors. To prepare for this coming-of-age party, the family dresses up, goes to church, takes pictures and throws the actual party, where symbolic gifts and actions are reciprocated. Next, the BSU danced to the Cha Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle, which were noted to be common along with games in bringing people together at the BSU. The HSU and ASA collaborated on their presentation, performing two graceful dances in traditional Hmong garments. After the amazing performances, the group Salsa Manzana continued to perform until the end of the

Cristina’s quinceanera was really good according to her she even mention that she didn’t dance that much because she was shy at that time and most of all she loved her dress.