Why is quinceanera celebration so important?

Sep 6
06:56

2012

Torri Myler

Torri Myler

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

In short, during this part of the quinceanera party, the celebrant gives out 15 candles to fifteen people that were by her side throughout her whole life.

mediaimage

There is a really strange feel to quinceanera celebrations. Even though they seems to be just another casual birthday party,Why is quinceanera celebration so important? Articles the amount of hype they get is incredible. And even if you're not of Latino origin yourself, you have certainly heard about these festivities, which is not necessarily the case with most celebrations rooted in other cultures. So, why is quinceanera celebration so important?

 

First things first, we need to remember the relation between quinceanera and religion. Latinos were always deeply rooted in religion. According to tradition, almost all spheres of an average Latino's life were dominated by religion. Needless to say, coming of age is no exception. So, you won't probably be surprised to know that the proper quinceanera celebration starts in a church. Here, a mass of thanksgiving is held and, as the name implies, the family and the girl in question, are thanking God for the past fifteen years. Not only that, during the mass the girl is supposed to receive a blessing for the rest of her adult life. 

 

Why is quinceanera celebration so important? Is it religion-related celebration only? No, the thanksgiving element is not limited to the religious context. The ceremony known as Tree of Life is a celebrant's way of saying 'thank you' to the people, who took care of her. In short, during this part of the quinceanera party, the celebrant gives out 15 candles to fifteen people that were by her side throughout her whole life.

 

While talking about the quinceanera, we shouldn't lose sight of the symbolism evoked by the custom. The very moment a girl turns 15, she is no longer considered a child. Instead, she becomes an adult woman. And even though that's not what the law says, quinceaneras are held to observe that tradition. So, from that moment on, the girl will not only accept adult responsibilities, but also finally be allowed to have the same privileges as mature people have. Obviously, this doesn't mean that she gets a right to vote or to buy alcohol. The whole thing happens on a more symbolic level. Crossing the path of adulthood, she is now allowed to have a date or dance with men. Why is quinceanera celebration so important? It's all about symbolism, be it symbolic saying 'thanks' to God or the family. Not only that, it's a symbolic crossing of the path leading to adulthood, represented both by wearing a special quinceanera dress, as well as completing various rituals (like the above mentioned first dance.)