THE QUINCEANERA: ORIGINS OF A MEXICAN CULTURAL TRADITION

Celebrating the Quinceanera represents a significant practice for Mexicans. This ritual

was considered an important transition for women by our ancestors. They believed that the

15th was the correct age to assume adult responsibilities such as getting married, for

example. After the Spanish conquest, this ceremony was retaken for religious purposes to

gain followers in pre-Hispanic populations. However, this celebration has constantly evolved,

adapting new perspectives and manners to feast teenagers.

On the one hand, pre-Hispanic cultures considered that women entered into adulthood

at fifteen years (Arjona, 2014). In other words, that age meant the moment in which a

teenager went from girl to woman. Therefore, ladies could incorporate the activities of their

gender such as getting married or being mothers (Arjona, 2014). For that reason, these

civilizations introduced their girls in front of their societies thus they could interact with men.

They celebrated this tradition by taking their young women to the Telpochcalli school where

they learned their history and traditions (Phillips, 2005). Subsequently, their communities did

several rituals which were changed after the conquest.

On the other hand, that ancient ceremony was modified by the Spanish when they

arrived in America. It is believed that the conquerors took that tradition to evangelize pre-

Hispanic societies adding Catholic masses as a requirement (Infobae, 2022). Eventually,

holding festivals, wearing dresses, and dancing waltz were included during the government of

Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg in the 19th century (Phillips, 2005). Although this tradition

was now carried out by high-class families, it kept its essence: making known their dames to

establish marriage agreements. Nevertheless, this social event's significance has also been

subject to historical changes that gave it a new perspective.

 This new way to celebrate the fifteenth year started to be performed in other Latin

American countries, yet its meaning is not the same nowadays. For many Mexican people,

this practice represents a way to feast the Quinceanera in her transition to youth sharing time

with loved ones (Arjona, 2014). At present, women are not already forced to marry or have

children in most of the population. In any case, each country has adopted particular elements

for this ceremony adding their cultural touch (Infobae, 2022).

In summary, this mixture of pre-Hispanic and European traditions brought other

overviews of how ladies want to celebrate their fifteenth. Even though it is still preserved

certain antique rituals in some parts of Mexico, it is common to observe girls wearing different

princess dresses next to their honor court “the chamberlains”. Lavishness is probably the

most important element of these parties which reflects the Spanish influences they left in their

wake. Thanks to this historical heritage, the Quinceanera tradition is a long-awaited moment

for many Mexican girls.

 REFERENCES

Arjona, N. (2014, April 16). Descubriendo México: la celebración de los XV años. Instituto de

Cervantes Utrecht. https://blogs.cervantes.es/utrecht/2014/04/16/descubriendo-

mexico-la-celebracion-de-los-xv-anos/

Infobae. (2022, February 20). Cuál es el origen de la fiesta de XV años y en cuantos países

de celebra. Infobae. https://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2022/02/20/cual-es-el-

origen-de-la-fiesta-de-xv-anos-y-en-cuantos-paises-se-celebra/

Phillips, W. (2005). The quinceañera: ritual roots transcending borders. Diálogo, 9(1), 42-43.

https://via.library.depaul.edu/dialogo/vol9/iss1/9