Tradition...
The
Tradition of the Quinceañera (15 year old)
The transition of the adolescents in women is celebrated
in different ways and to different ages in the world. In Mexico, it has
a very particular rooting and is celebrated when the girls fulfill Fifteen
Years. It does not mean exactly that the girls are ready to marry since
some foreign to the tradition they believe. Rather, that the girls can present
to themselves as adults in social appropriate events.
The Quinceañera is a Highly catholic tradition though it is celebrated also
in other Christian churches. Almost it takes for provided that they were
the Spanish conquerors who brought the tradition to Mexico. Actually, the
celebration as it is now is an adjustment to the Christianity of the Ceremony
of the Aztec Woman. From before the conquest, the Aztecs were celebrating
the girls who were coming to the ripeness, in the above mentioned ceremony
apart from the banquet and the religious presentation, the mothers were
giving advices to his daughters exhorting them to have good behavior. The
conquerors took the pagan celebration and converted her to the church as
other ceremonies into an effort to catholicize the Aztecs. The dance was
replaced by the Waltz and the Aztec altar by the Christian altar.
The Quinceañera can or not include a reception, banquet and
dance but the really important thing is the Mass of Action of Thanks.
The Mass
The Mass or presentation in temple is a gratitude and preparation for the
new challenges of the girl who is almost a woman. The Garment, The Bouquet,
the Ring, the Crown and other accessories have a special meaning.
The feasted one sits down in the seat of honor next to the altar. They can
accompany her up to 14 ladies (representing her first 14 years) with her
chamberlains. A Chamberlain of Honor also accompanies the Quinceañera. The
ladies are chosen who recently have fulfilled their 15 years of age or are
close to fulfilling them.
The Prayer of Thanks and the Blessing of the gifts or gifts during the mass
and the Eucharist they are the culmination of the Mass. Nevertheless, nothing
equalizes the emotive moment in which the feasted delivery a bouquet of
flowers on the altar to Virgin Mary, in general to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In accordance with the possibilities of every family, the garment can be
simpler or sophisticated, but always something special and in cake colors.
The white color is in use very much between the Mexican community in the
United States but in Mexico white is reserved for only Brides on the day
of their Weddings. The rest of the accessories must match the garment.
The Reception
After the mass, a reception is celebrated with
banquet and dance in honor of the Quinceañera. Other options are that of
a Trip or in a more American way, to receive a car. Provided that the car
or the trip can be received in any other occasion, the majority of the girls
choose for the reception.
The Piñata
The Mexican children generally celebrate their birthdays with
a piñata. The Quinceañera celebrates her Fifteen with her last piñata. This
tradition is optional since in their origins, the piñata was used in other
religious ceremonies, to incorporate it into the birthdays is now a modern
tradition.
The Banquet
The banquet can be based on a traditional Mexican meal and can be so modest
or sophisticated according to the economic capacity of the family.
The
Waltz
The Mexican girls cannot dance in a public event before fulfilling fifteen
years though they can dance in family and school holidays providing that
it is free (not embraced with their partners).
To the Christianize the Ceremony of the Woman, the Spanish friars put their
European touch that is kept up to the date. The Quinceañera accompanied
by her Chamberlain of Honor and the Ladies on their respective Chamberlains
they dance a traditional Waltz.
The waltz is realized by traditional movements or movements of new design.
The music can be live or with the modern systems of digital sound. "Tiempo
de Vals (Time to Waltz)" by the Puerto Rican recording artist: Chayanne
is in use as a modern alternative to the traditional waltzes.
The Quinceañera dances to her first waltz with her with his father or for
lack of this one, a relative or friend near to the family.
Later it continues the so called Waltz with the Godparents though this is
not necessarily a waltz. It is rather a topic of popular music that the
feasted one dances with her godparents (sponsors) changing every 20 seconds
or a minute depending on the number of taking part godparents (sponsors).
Las
Mañanitas
The traditional song "Las Mañanitas", usually touched by Mariachis
is sung after the Waltz or at the moment of the Cake. The Mariachi can also
perform other traditional songs. Las Mañanitas can be sung in the house
before going to the church, on having gone out of the church or in the reception.
The
Doll and the Surprise Gift.
As the piñata, the doll is the last one to receive. This one,
a Surprise Gift and other gifts are presented earlier or after the waltz.
Also they can be omitted in their totality.
The Dance
After the waltz, the Quinceañera "opens the dance floor ", this
means that she is the first one in going out to dance a popular song and
invites all the guests to dance also.
The
Cake
The cake generally splits some hours later during an interval
of the dance or after Dinner, or before the Waltz. The cake of color and
adornments that go in accordance with the garment is of great size and color.
The Quinceañera divides the cake and is the first one in tasting it.
The Godparents (The Sponsors)
The Godparents of Honor are those who accompany the Quinceañera
in the Mass. Other godparents who take part donating some of the articles
used by the Quinceañera during the ceremony or the reception. Some of the
godparents take part in the ceremony delivering the articles personally
as The Bible, the Crown, the Branch etc. they cooperate Others with articles
that the girl already takes from his house as the ring, the slave etc. Traditionally,
the Godparents of Honor help with the buy of the Garment. Also there are
godparents who cooperate for the expenses of the lounge, the banquet and
others.
According to the regional traditions these events can change in order and
form, for example, the Quinceañera can come to the mass with his already
put crown, or be crowned during the mass or during the waltz.
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