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by Michael Kabel
Peru, the ancient land of mystery, adventure, and fabulous wealth, has celebrated the Quinceañera celebration for many hundreds of years. Whether in the highest reaches of the Andes or in the villages and cities along the Pacific Coast, the quince anos tradition runs strong through the nation's culture.
If you're proud to call Peru a part of your heritage, your own Quinceañera celebration can reflect any part of this varied and colorful nation's environs and customs. You can also pay tribute to the nation's own centuries-old traditions and heritage.
Peruvian Quinceañera Customs
In Peru, the Quinceañera girl is truly a princess, and the mistress of her fiesta. In many celebrations, the fiesta only really begins once the quince anos girl descends a flight of stairs to join her "subjects" for the evening. Her court is waiting for her as well - and a full court it is, too! Fifteen chambelanes await her descent, each one holding a flower or rose. Her damas, arrayed on the opposite side of the staircase, hold candles. As she makes her way through the court, she blows out a candle and takes a rose, until by the end she has a bouquet for her fiesta.
The quince anos princess then escorts her father, grandfather, or oldest padrino to the dance floor, where they dance a waltz to a traditional Quinceañera song. After that dance, she may dance with her boyfriend, her designated chambelane escort for the evening, or a relative. The rest of the dancing for the evening is given over to any kind of music, and all the guests are welcome to participate. The party lasts until well after midnight.
Celebrating Peru in Your Quinceanera
The only obstacle in celebrating Peru's history and culture in your Quinceañera fiesta is settling on which of the many dozens of parts you'd like to celebrate! The nation stretches from the loftiest jungle mountains to the most glittering parts of the Pacific, and probably every mile in between has something to offer.
You might narrow the focus of your fiesta to the part of the country from where your family originates. For example, if your family hails from the coast town of Callao, you might wish to have a beach- or nautical themed fiesta, with huge plates of seafood and seaside-style decorations. Your gown and your damas' dresses could be shimmering blues and greens, to represent the ocean.
Or, perhaps your family comes from the mountains, or you want to celebrate the mystery and grandeur of Machu Picchu. A garden-themed Quinceañera, or a design motif that celebrates nature and the beauty of the Amazon rain forest, might be more appropriate and to your tastes. You can include arts and crafts native to the particular region, and serve the local cuisine. Your gown could be a rich brown or deep green, to reflect the hues of the rain forest, or white to evoke the peaks of the Andes.
Finally, you might choose an ultra-formal and sophisticated ball, to whisk your guests away to the cosmopolitan city of Lima. This very fashionable motif could involve only the most fashionable gowns and tuxedos, and serve only the finest cuisine in the most elaborate means.
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