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Q History Lesson

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Articles - TRADITION
Quinceanera History The quinceañera mystery
Quinceañera celebrations are unique to Latin American culture, but no one is completely sure where the tradition started. Some think it grew out of ancient Aztec and Mayan coming-of-age rituals; others think the Spanish and French conquerors brought over debutante ball and royal court presentation practices which were adopted by the native peoples.
For example, some credit Carlota, the Austrian empress of Mexico, with introducing the royal court customs to Mexican society. How the tradition spread through the rest of Latin America is unclear, but it did!

European influences are obvious, even though quinceañeras don't take place there. Some quinceañera terms and practices seem to be taken directly from the royal courts of Europe, including the court of honor, coronations, scepters and choreographed waltzes. But debutante balls and royal court presentations lack the religious aspect that quinceañeras stress. It is most likely that quinceañeras grew out of a blending of Old and New World traditions.

500 years of history
Quinceañeras are documented back to the 1500s. Of course, traditions and customs have changed over the centuries, but any girl who participates in a quinceañera today is connecting with more than 500 years of Hispanic history. Whatever its origins, the quinceañera is a cherished celebration for Hispanic girls across the Americas.

Deeply rooted in Catholic religious rites, the quinceañera includes a church mass, typically followed by a dinner and dance. But as customs vary from culture to culture, exactly what happens during each of those events may be very, very different.

Isabella Wall of Bella Quinceañera, an online shop and guide says, “You must remember that there’s no textbook for this; it’s all left up to you. It depends on the statement that you want to make. If you want to show that you’re dedicating your life to God, then the mass would be the focus. If you want to show that you are entering adult society, then the party and the presentation would be the focus. What’s important to you? What symbols and traditions have meaning for you?”

Updating tradition
In the past, the quinceañera was always escorted by her father (or another male relative). Today, some girls even have escorts their own age. The court of honor, which accompanies the girl throughout the celebration, customarily included seven girls (damas) and seven boys (chambelanes), which, with the girl, totaled 15. Now girls sometimes have 14 couples, or more, while some have no attendants at all. And it's more rare to see the court perform a choreographed waltz, which once was an important part of the party's presentation.

Olivia Flores Alvarez is the editor of BravoHouston!, an arts supplement to the Hispanic weekly newspaper Semana News. She regularly covers Latinos in entertainment for other Texas based publications, including the Houston Press newspaper and OutSmart Magazine. Olivia is also a contributing reporter for the KPFT Evening News, a Pacifica radio network affiliate.

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Comments (54)Add Comment

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written by Carlita, September 26, 2009
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written by Carlita, September 26, 2009
The quince tradition is very cool. Was it celebrated with the aztecs. I'm not sure. Visit SuperQuince.com for cool tips about your quinceanera. smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif
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written by ga, July 17, 2009
hohbohbohjbjhbjhbh
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written by ..., April 21, 2009
no es lo ke esperaba smilies/sad.gif smilies/sad.gif smilies/sad.gif
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written by ..., April 21, 2009
no es lo ke esperaba
smilies/sad.gif smilies/sad.gif
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written by jessie t, March 25, 2009
i love boys
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written by Mr. Shortland Francis, March 25, 2009
i love U2
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written by slump, March 25, 2009
rony bent is a fool
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written by slump, March 25, 2009
mr.francis is a funny guy
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written by slump, March 25, 2009
adam p is a huge clown
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written by Hitler, March 25, 2009
What?? sausage!
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written by slump, March 25, 2009
sipsss ball
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written by u2 sucks, March 25, 2009
u2 is bad
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written by santa, March 25, 2009
hello hello conti's in a place called verdigo.
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written by conti, March 25, 2009
has anybody tried burger kings's new miniburgers?
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written by santa, March 25, 2009
U2 is the BEST
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written by conti, March 25, 2009
who thinks u2's the best band ever?
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written by conti, March 25, 2009
what? salad???
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written by Chelsea Anne, March 20, 2009
i wish i was mexican !
this is soo awesome !
smilies/kiss.gif
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written by kinky, March 12, 2009
heyy i like things in my vaggg
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written by HOUStONE FALLbROOk NORtENOSzX4, December 13, 2008
DAMb iM NEW iN HERE ND i NEEd HELp.!!
SOMEBODy PLEEZE HELp ME.!!?? smilies/cry.gif smilies/cry.gif
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written by T.U.R.D., July 18, 2008
ello. wuttz neww pple.
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written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , April 29, 2008
settin at school
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written by nub, April 25, 2008
nothen wats r u up 2
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written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , April 25, 2008
yo man wats up anyone

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written by Jessica Jolly, March 07, 2008
You are supposed to be having a Quinceanera to grow older.
This website is not for little boys and girls to get on and fuss lik etwo year olds.
You all need to chill out and grow up.
Act your age and not your shoe size.
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written by tyler slatin, February 15, 2008
i love the girl in front of me and the one who sits infront of michael
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written by wtf!!!, February 15, 2008
EEEEWWWW NOOOOOOO!
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written by Michael James, February 15, 2008
in my core class shee is sooooo hot omg i would die 4 her
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written by Michael James, February 15, 2008
ummm i love the girl that sits behind me
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written by Cody moore, February 15, 2008
Chiiillllll mein...thats not funny.. you play to much...i gotcha mein
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written by Cody moore, February 15, 2008
Chiillllll u in my bubble main atchow lil boii
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written by Cody moore, February 15, 2008
anyone got any crack?
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written by noob, February 15, 2008
thats not how u spell my last name its slayton
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written by tyler slatin, February 15, 2008
i love to make out with guys....guys really turn me on...anyone wanna come to my place later for a little bow-chica-wow-wow?
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written by michael james, February 15, 2008
i just lovveee boys they make me horney
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written by tyler slatin, February 15, 2008
hi im tyler and i like gay sex smilies/wink.gif
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written by loltylersucks, February 15, 2008
all you use extra is your arms...you dont use anything else than your hands and arms...plus i can do that by playin real sports not Wii sports...and 360 has the best online ever...Wii's sucks
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written by michael james, February 15, 2008
hi im michael and im gay
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written by loltylersucks, February 15, 2008
look at the name haha
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written by lljasdfjasdjf, February 15, 2008
wow 360 is just with your hands wii is the whole body nooobbb
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written by michael, February 15, 2008
cause Wii's suck...360s are the best smilies/grin.gif
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written by lljasdfjasdjf, February 15, 2008
wow u fag dats not cool u just hatin on my Wii smilies/grin.gif
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written by michael, February 15, 2008
your gey tyler stfu and CHIIIIILLLLLL
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written by michael, February 15, 2008
haha i bet your head is fuzzy tyler
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written by lljasdfjasdjf, February 15, 2008
Michael is gayyyyyy
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written by lljasdfjasdjf, February 15, 2008
wow how do u no what my head feels like
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written by bsahjkfsdhljkhagfskd, February 15, 2008
tyler u have a fuzzy head
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written by tslay, February 15, 2008
yup kosta is definately gay
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written by tslay, February 15, 2008
hahahah smilies/grin.gif fruit cake
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written by ..., February 15, 2008
no i got a big something else in mi pantallones
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written by tslay, February 15, 2008
baily u got a bigggg head
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written by tslay, February 15, 2008
stephen and danilo u r stuuuppiid
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written by Sam-Fathers daughter pursuing guidance,02-10-08, February 11, 2008
This information was both enlighting and interesting...by becoming better acquainted with the tradition, it will aid me in making this expierence , for my daughter, a special one.

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