Metro Latino: The Quinceañera
posted 4:23 pm Tue October 09, 2007 - Little Rock
You may be familiar with several "coming of age" ceremonies, such as Bar Mitzvahs or confirmations, but the Latino community has a celebration all its own—the quinceañera.
(Mirta Schroeder, Godmother) “A quinceañera basically is a rite of passage from being a young girl to a young lady.”
Similar to a Sweet 16 birthday party, the quinceañera is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday. The ritual dates back to 500 B.C. when the Aztecs took part in the traditional ceremony.
For 15-year-old Angelica Ash, who is part Puerto Rican and part African-American, her recent quinceañera celebration in Little Rock's River Market Amphitheater was full of tradition.
(Schroeder) “The quinceañera, the 15 year old, walks in with flat shoes and her father then comes and puts on the high heels as a representation of that rite of passage.”
And although the celebration typically includes traditional dances and Latino music, the ceremony is also the beginning of a spiritual journey for the 15-year-old girl.
(Schroeder) “It's also religious, her giving dedication to God to remain pure and make good decisions as she becomes older.”
The quinceañera is celebrated in most Spanish-speaking countries. It's also becoming more popular in U.S. cities that have large Hispanic communities.
Similar to a Sweet 16 birthday party, the quinceañera is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday. The ritual dates back to 500 B.C. when the Aztecs took part in the traditional ceremony.
For 15-year-old Angelica Ash, who is part Puerto Rican and part African-American, her recent quinceañera celebration in Little Rock's River Market Amphitheater was full of tradition.
(Schroeder) “The quinceañera, the 15 year old, walks in with flat shoes and her father then comes and puts on the high heels as a representation of that rite of passage.”
And although the celebration typically includes traditional dances and Latino music, the ceremony is also the beginning of a spiritual journey for the 15-year-old girl.
(Schroeder) “It's also religious, her giving dedication to God to remain pure and make good decisions as she becomes older.”
The quinceañera is celebrated in most Spanish-speaking countries. It's also becoming more popular in U.S. cities that have large Hispanic communities.
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