CELIA'S QUINCEAÑERA
A VERY UNTRADITIONAL TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION
In December 2015 Celia turned 15, which in Latino tradition is the year a girl comes of age. We celebrate this coming of age with solemn ceremony and exuberant festivities. (Luckily, one gets some flexibility in timing - we held Celia's in March following her 15th, even though her birthday was earlier.)
"Quince años" means 15 years, so both the girl being honored and the party itself are called a "quinceañera."
What's a Quinceañera?
In Latino tradition, a girl comes of age at 15 years old. Traditionally, in Mexico, the moment is honored by a mass in a church followed by a huge party for the whole community. We are excited to share this moment with our family and close friends; since we're not Catholic, we're holding our own ceremony as part of the party itself, followed by dinner, dancing, and time to be together.
The quince girl is joined by two groups of people in her ceremony: a quince court of 15 special friends and relatives her own age, and a set of Padrinos, "godparents" who sponsor parts of the ceremony.
Celia comes from families with diverse heritage, but our connection to this tradition comes through Kati's father's family, who came to the US from Mexico at the beginning of the 1900s.
Our Quinceañera, Celia Cowles. Isn't she lovely?
Celia's Great-Tia Anna had a humdinger of a quinceañera at the Hernandez’ family’s church, St. Patrick’s, followed by a reception with hundreds of guests at the Rice Hotel in Houston. Kati's grandfather was proud to be able to share that day with their community.
Kati’s quinceañera was celebrated with 9 other girls through Club México Bello, an organization founded in the 30s to provide social opportunities for Mexican girls in Houston. Kati was asked to be Queen of the royal court for that year and represented the organization at parades and events. (Fun fact: CMB’s queenly ceremonial cape of satin, rhinestones, and faux fur trailed four yards behind her and weighed 28 pounds.)
Pronounce it like a pro!
KEEN-say-ahn-YAYR-a
