In Latin American countries the quinceañera party is a big celebration for the young woman entering womanhood.  Its origins in Latin America are a mix of the Spanish culture and the indigenous people culture found in the new world. The origin of Quinceañera dates back to the Aztecs around 500 B.C.

The ancient Mayas and Aztecs girls once turned 15 year old of age were considered women and were given the instruction and responsibilities of womanhood. Older women used to train or teach them their future roles as young women. During the girls’ rite of passage, the community would thank the gods for the future wives and mothers, and the young women would vow to serve the community. The young girls were instructed on them tribes’ history and they would take new responsibilities that would get them ready for marriage.  Music would have been the thread that held the entire party together, and everyone would have danced and sang and prayed along to it.  The Spanish since the middle ages have been doing debutants ball, which is just a way to let society know that a young woman is ready for marriage. With the merge of both Spanish and indigenous culture, the age of 15 was for a young woman in the new world a time of decision for the girl who would decide whether to join the church or get married. The event became a personal agreement of faith and a pledge to become good Christian wives and mothers.

Today quinceañera parties are big religious and cultural celebrations, where the entire family gathers to commemorate this important time on a young woman’s life.  And although this is a hugely significant rite of passage, it is also an enormous honor girls look forward to with pride and happiness. Quinceañera party can be a very formal ball where the birthday girl wears a beautiful and usually old fashioned gown, plus she gets to have a court, made up of several of her girlfriends and boyfriends.  The “Court”, or honor escort, plus the birthday girl and her male escort dance several choreographed dances. The quinceañera wears a tiara which symbolizes that she is a princess towards the eyes of God. And is given a precious jewel, usually a ring which symbolize the unending circle of life, and she and her father have a special father-daughter dance to a sentimental song, and then he introduce the young woman to society, just like at a wedding.  Many quinceañera parties today have a more modern flavor and the quinceañera do not wear the traditional ball gown, but many different alternatives. Depending on the party theme, the girls may wear a belly dance outfit, hula girl’s skirt, or even pants for a hip-hop party theme.  Quinceañera Cruise party is also very popular among the young travelers.  Cruises and travel agents have packages specially designed for the quinceañera to go on her first trip without her family and walking towards womanhood.

Don’t you wish you were young like them?