Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How QuinceaƱeras Work
How Stuff Works ^ | October 16, 2017 | Cristen Conger

Posted on 05/06/2018 11:48:05 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

For Hispanic girls in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the United States and elsewhere, the 15th birthday marks the most lavish celebration of their lives. Designating a girl’s transition from childhood to adulthood, the quinceañera is a two-part festivity that traces back to both indigenous and European cultural traditions and has become an increasingly opulent affair in recent years. Parents may even spend more on their daughters' "Sweet 15" quinceañeras than their weddings, in fact, which is why some refer them as mini bodas, or miniature weddings. Not counting the birthday presents a young girl might receive, a low-end quinceañera in the United States can easily cost about $3,000 [source: Colloff].

One look at a quince girl (a nickname for the quinceañera honoree) on her special day, and the high price tag makes sense. First off, there's the outfit: Often made of satin with lace overlays and rhinestone accents, quinceañera dresses, the visible centerpieces of these celebrations, mirror what Cinderella might’ve worn to her fairytale ball. The floor-length gowns are traditionally white or pale pink, but the revived quinceañera culture accepts dresses in a rainbow of hues. Perched on the quince girl’s head is a delicate tiara or crown, the symbolism of which we’ll discuss later in the article, and in her hands -- at least at the beginning of the ceremony -- she might hold a Bible or book of prayer.

Although its emphasis is more on the party than the prayer, the quinceañera starts at the local Catholic church. Before any birthday cake is cut, the quince girl attends a special Mass in which she reaffirms her dedication to God and receives a blessing from the priest....

(Excerpt) Read more at people.howstuffworks.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Society; The Guild
KEYWORDS: adolescent; backward; breeding; childrape; girls; hispanics; mexico; womanhood
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-132 next last
To: 2ndDivisionVet

So, does taking my redheaded niece to Texas Roadhouse tomorrow for her 15th birthday count?


41 posted on 05/06/2018 2:13:57 PM PDT by GreenLanternCorps (Hi! I'm the Dread Pirate Roberts! (TM) Ask about franchise opportunities in your area.arare)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

The Miami Cubans were big on this when I lived there in the 70’s.


42 posted on 05/06/2018 2:22:35 PM PDT by Rebelbase
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cloverfarm

“Some parts of Hispanic culture, as far as strong family bonds, remind me of how we used to be.”

Agree. See it all the time. But they need to stay involved with their churches or they will lose it also.


43 posted on 05/06/2018 2:23:19 PM PDT by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Mariner

Possible. More probable after the ‘hood parties when girls turn 13.


44 posted on 05/06/2018 2:25:11 PM PDT by Rebelbase
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Lurkinanloomin

This is nothing new. At least in New England, where the Hispanic population grew with the tobacco fields of CT and Western MA.

I just thankful that I got to skip this “rite” for my daughters. There is enough crap “you have to do.”


45 posted on 05/06/2018 2:27:40 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick
Do let us know how an antebellum debut worked.

Imagine a patch of sprawled, rain-battered white peonies. My mother's Aunt Clara described that as looking like a passel of drunken debutantes. Not that she would have known.

46 posted on 05/06/2018 2:30:06 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Stone cold sober, as a matter of fact.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Lurkinanloomin

The legal Cuban community in Miami also holds these.


47 posted on 05/06/2018 2:38:07 PM PDT by lastchance (Credo.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: PAR35

What is wrong with you?


48 posted on 05/06/2018 2:39:50 PM PDT by lastchance (Credo.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Governor Dinwiddie

You have this on what authority? Many Hispanic families are strongly Christian and protective of their children, especially daughters. Not all of them belong to gangs, have loose morals or suck the welfare teat.

There are plenty of them that are not here illegally but became citizens or shock to you were born here. Some going back generations.

And human babies are not “pups”. Ever!


49 posted on 05/06/2018 2:45:26 PM PDT by lastchance (Credo.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Mrs. Don-o

I am gobsmacked at the blatant ignorance and malice.


50 posted on 05/06/2018 2:46:33 PM PDT by lastchance (Credo.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

St. Cecilia Ball in Charleston was the real prestigious one.


51 posted on 05/06/2018 2:47:49 PM PDT by lastchance (Credo.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: rexthecat

Thanks for the input, newbie.


52 posted on 05/06/2018 2:49:31 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

the 15th birthday marks the most lavish celebration of their lives. Designating a girl’s transition from childhood to adulthood, the quinceañera is a two-part festivity that traces back to both indigenous and European cultural traditions and has become an increasingly opulent affair in recent years.

...

Mohammed’s wife transitioned at the age of nine.


53 posted on 05/06/2018 2:52:05 PM PDT by Moonman62 (Give a man a fish and he'll be a Democrat. Teach a man to fish and he'll be a responsible citizen.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: lastchance

Not many Mexicans in your part of town?


54 posted on 05/06/2018 2:57:43 PM PDT by PAR35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Mrs. Don-o

I don’t think the pre-war young ladies got drunk.


55 posted on 05/06/2018 3:11:03 PM PDT by Tax-chick (I have the easiest life in the history of the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: lastchance

Yes, that’s legendary.


56 posted on 05/06/2018 3:12:24 PM PDT by Tax-chick (I have the easiest life in the history of the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Cloverfarm; Mrs. Don-o
Before they have their party the girls are not supposed to wear either make up or heels.

At the party for my friend Rafaela's daughter, the high-heeled shoes were presented by the "First Communion godparents," a non-canonical role which, I theorize, comes from a situation in which First Communion and Confirmation were celebrated at the same time.

57 posted on 05/06/2018 3:16:16 PM PDT by Tax-chick (I have the easiest life in the history of the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: discostu

“...and coming out parties.”

Not gonna go where that leads...


58 posted on 05/06/2018 3:21:47 PM PDT by PLMerite ("They say that we were Cold Warriors. Yes, and a bloody good show, too." - Robert Conquest)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

You’re probably right.


59 posted on 05/06/2018 3:34:08 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Stone cold sober, as a matter of fact.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Mrs. Don-o

Was your mother’s aunt a product of the Roaring 20s?


60 posted on 05/06/2018 3:35:45 PM PDT by Tax-chick (I have the easiest life in the history of the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-132 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson