Quinceañera Tradition And Tradition Essay

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.

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 celebrates the new path initiated by a Latina’s transition from girl to woman on her fifteenth birthday. The celebration highlights three aspects- a ritual ceremony, first dance, and the last items received as a child. During the ritual ceremony, a biblical reading is reiterated in dedication to the Quinceanera. In exchange, the Quinceanera utilizes this time to thank God for his blessings and in granting her a complete childhood. In addition, a distinguishing prayer book is provided to the Quinceanera to symbolize her eternal word to God and the guidance and strength she’ll need to conduct a successful life. The first dance holds a special purpose within this transition where the parents of the Quinceanera

Anywhere form the young girl waltzing with her father, surrounded by family and friends, because she officially a miss. To the nervous gentleman knocking on his girlfriend’s parent’s home determined to ask for her hand in marriage. Even the small altar set up yearly on Nov 1st to remember the loved ones that are no longer here. These are all customs, beliefs, that Mexicans as a culture have embraced for generations. A quinceanera, a proposal, and the day of the dead are celebrated a certain way. It’s a

In my heritage, when a girl reaches the age of fifteen there family throws a symbolic party for them, this celebration is known as a Quinceañera. It is view as a way in which a girl becomes a woman. The photo above was taken during my Quinceañera in August about a little over a year ago. A girl reaching the age of fifteen is seen as a huge think, it is viewed as a girl’s true becoming interconnected to the outside world. Before reaching of age, girls are viewed as a humble and fragile object that needs the care of the family in order to survive. During the celebration, the girl is changed from flat shoes to high heels signifying her “rising” into society. Months are taken to find a dress, shoes, etc; everything is done to be perfect in order

One of the best moments of my life would have to be the day I had my quincenera. I had looked forward to that day ever since I was a little girl. Every Hispanic girl dreams of the day she officially becomes a woman in the eyes of the church. We prepare for this day since our first communion when we are surrounded by family members and loved ones. Earning our quincenera is not an easy task. We have classes that we must accomplish through our church before we are essentially presented as a woman to our friends and family.

The number 15 is very significant in the Mexican culture. One of the many things it means may be for a Quinceañera, a Quinceañera is a grand fancy celebration when a girl turns 15 years old. This is the day the young girl becomes a woman. Quinceañera’s are observed in Central America and South America. It’s an important day in many countries including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru. There is also the holiday the day of the Shout of Dolores, this is celebrated on September 15. at 11pm in National Palace in Mexico City the Mexican president will ring a bell. The president then shouts the cry of patriotism, based on the Cry of Dolores, also called the cry of independence. However, the Shout of Dolores is not a federal public holiday, but

“The quinceañera is like a rehearsal wedding without a groom, and it sends a clear message to the Latina girl: We expect you to get married, have children, devote yourself to your family” (49). This shows the expectations young women are addressed in Latin American families. At every quince there are a set of rituals before finalizing the entrance of woman. Besides the party a mass is conducted before hand. They're “promising God that you’re not going to have sex till you’re back at the altar, getting married” (Priscilla 52). A quince is a celebration constructed through society but built on conservative religious values. Unfortunately, this is not one hundred percent effective to young girls to give insight that they have a whole life ahead

Woman are more confused than ever trying to balance their traditional values with their curiosity about sexual freedom, which “Ought to be a decade of freedom and exploration”(Bell 26). These traditional values are ancient and sometimes badly demonstrated by the parents or guardians of those confused women. Claudia, introduced in the beginning of the text, shares her fears of devastating her Mexican Catholic family with her desire of sexual freedom, but she also is caught in a contradiction when she mentions that she does not want to end up like her mother. “… She had witnessed her mother sacrifice her own dreams and adventurous spirit to be a wife and parent.” (Bell

Among young Hispanic girls, one of the most important and most anticipated events in their lives is the celebration of the fifteenth birthday or quinceañera. The preparation starts right after the girl turns fourteen or even at a much younger age. The family, mostly the mother, can spend months preparing for this big social event in the life of her daughter. Although this celebration is traditionally part of the Latin American culture, in the United States it has become a very common cultural tradition among Latino families whose daughters were not even born in their native countries. The tradition of the quinceañera symbolizes the pathway of a young girl entering womanhood. Therefore, this significant

During the party the girl must dance with all her relatives who come. The relatives give her a rose before they dance with her. After that everyone usually dances and eats. At the end of the quincenera the father puts on the girls pair of high heels to symbolize that she is finally a women. Another big celebration in Mexico is “Day of the Dead”. One of the most important traditions for day of the dead is the day of the dead alter.Day of the Dead altars are usually made inside peoples homes. It honors their loved ones who have died. In Mexico people call Day of the Dead “Dia de los Muertos”. On Day of the Dead they make skeleton heads formed out of sugar that have colorful designs on them. Day of the Dead usually last from October 31 to

The representation of women when I was younger did not differ much from both cultures I grew up with, and I know that I have not fulfilled them. However, one rite of passage did show more symbolism and core values presented for the roles of being a woman. The original celebration of a quinceñera was to showcase that a fifteen year old girl was

Mexicans are very conscious of their responsibilities to immediate family members and extended family such as cousins and even close friends. In their culture they are always honored to host a celebration or party in their home. They want their guest to feel right at home. Unlike in American cultures, their family is not only consisted of a couple and kids but also of any extended family such as cousins and uncles. Mexicans also have a high value for religion with close to 90 percent considered to be Catholic! “La Virgen de Guadalupe” is traditionally valued in this South American country. She is the patron saint of the country. (Kim Ann Zimmermann, 2013) Unfortunately Machismo is still an ongoing issue in Mexico. Machismo is strong or aggressive masculine pride making this South American country a male centered society. This can create a communication barrier between a husband and wife in the home.

Growing up for me went a little something like this. All three of my sisters and I shared a king size bed in the attic of a rental house off 17th & Dorcas. In the mornings we would wake up to mom’s chorizo and tortillas on the stove. In the background you could hear Telemundo, a Spanish channel, on the television. Being that I was one of four siblings Birthday parties came often, and were celebrated with lots of carne asada, jugo for the kids, piñata’s, guacamole and lots of beer and music for the adults. These parties were huge and went all night long. I guess you can say this was the Hispanic traditional way to throw a kid’s birthday party. Growing up biracial, and multi-cultural Mexican- American, our primary language in our home when we were younger was Spanish.

From Alvarez’s perspective, the ritual of a quinceanera serves to create a particular mindset in the young girls that go through it. The rituals focus heavily on the external beauty of the young girl. As it can be seen, families will spend a lot of money to have access to top quality dresses and make-up for their girls. These dresses are created in such a way that creates a mental image of a mini-wedding. As a result, the transition into womanhood is heavily punctuated by the notion that the ultimate goal is to become a wife and bear children. While to be a wife and a mother is a noble aspiration, one cannot be able to resist the temptation that there is more to womanhood than a husband, a house, and three kids. Indeed. The ritual creates an obvious mental image