‘Quinceañeras’ The history behind the celebration

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Every little girl dreams of the day that they can be a princess, and for many girls of Mexican and Guatemalan descent that dream comes true on their Quinceañera night.

Quinceañeras date date to the Mayans and Aztecs and was celebrated in regions of Mexico and Guatemala.

“This was presenting a young lady, a young little girl, entering into womanhood. So basically it was, you know, just preparing women to be able to take care of the household, the basics, cooking, sewing, and throughout that, it has changed a little bit more,” said West Texas A&M student Jessica Loya. “Now you have the mass celebrations. And after that, the parties, but the main focus of little girl entering into womanhood, it has stayed there since the beginning of times.”

Forecaster Mari Ferrel reflects on her Quinceañera:

Quince means 15 in Spanish, the Mayans and Aztecs saw this age as something to be celebrated so girls could show to family and friends their transition from being a girl to a young woman.

“Back in the day the Mayans and Aztecs, it was like 15 okay, you reached your puberty point, you know, and you are no longer a little girl, so now you are becoming a woman. So we have to do something symbolic to let everybody know and to introduce you to society that you are ready to become a woman,” said Loya.

When the Spanish conquered the Aztec and Mayan lands in the early 1500s the Quinceañeras began to change now including a catholic mass and blessing by a priest.

“Now you have the mass celebrations. And after that, the parties, but the main focus of little girl entering into womanhood, it has stayed there since the beginning of times, it’s mainly your pack with god. You’re saying thank you to him. You are doing your promise with him,” explained Loya.

Jessica Loya reflects on her Quinceañera:

The night of the Quinceañeras is big for many young girls with many symbolic moments like the changing of the shoes. Loya explained that Cambio de Zapatillas shows the girl leaving her childhood and becoming a woman, this is shown when the girl changes from flats to heels.

“So I had my stepdad and my uncle do my shoes because I want to do two men that are in my life that have showed me very important things about having a man in your life. So they did do my shoes,” said Jaicinda Frausto who celebrated her Quinceañera last year.

Another important moment in the night is when the special girl gives away a doll or La Muñeca to showcase again that she is becoming a woman.

“Es la muñeca so basically, you can actually do a little doll, or you can toss like a little rose or flower or something. And mainly you get all the little girls called up to the to the dance floor and everything,” said Loya. And then whoever catches, whoever catches the flower or the doll gets to have that muñeca.”

Frausto said that for the moment she wanted to give her doll to her younger cousin who had never seen a Quinceañera before.

“I’ve always loved dolls, so I actually had a bear. And so what it meant for me is like, I’m turning into a young lady, and she’s still a little girl, so I’m having to show her, like, it’s going to be your turn next to being young lady, and this is how I want you to, like, follow and go by,” said Frausto.

Metrologist Maria Pasillas and her sisters Quinceañeras:

A rich history that has been continued in the culture of many Mexicans and Guatemalans for many generations.

“It’s to keep your tradition, your heritage, your identity, alive. You know as a Mexican American I, I myself have daughters, so I am passing on those same traditions because it’s something to be proud of,” said Loya. “It’s a beautiful and colorful culture, and it’s something that should just be continued, like, not let it fade away.”

If you are looking for Quinceañeras dresses a local shop is Novedades León.

For the latest Amarillo news and regional updates, check with MyHighPlains.com and tune in to KAMR Local 4 News at 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 p.m. and Fox 14 News at 9:00 p.m. CST.