Quinceañera Planet: Puerto Rico

    The Quinceañera is found throughout Latin and South American cultures. Each diverse nation, region, and culture brings with it a special twist, a bit of nuance, or a fresh spin on the Quince tradition. It’s probably safe to say that, for every Latin culture, there’s a whole set of unique Quince traditions!

    Quince tradition in Puerto Rico began centuries ago, when the island’s native peoples began practicing coming-of-age rituals that celebrated a young woman’s rise to independence. In those days, Puerto Rico was yet to feel the influence of European colonization. Over time, and with the coming of French and Spanish culture, the event became more formal and elaborate.

    The Quince process began when a young woman was taken from her family to learn the history and traditions of her tribe. The return of the young woman to the community was seen as a great cause for celebration, as she could participate and help in caring and nurturing the tribe’s growth. Elaborate celebrations were thrown, as well as rituals that announced the young girl was now a woman with all the rights and privileges thereof. For the young woman, the Quinceañero, or celebration, was a time to bask in the adulation and new respect of her friends and family.

    With the growing influence of European settlers that began in 1493, the Quinceañero came to resemble a debutante’s ball. Quince celebrations began to incorporate the finery of Corsican, Spanish, French, and Portuguese high society from the settlers that rushed to the island in the 1800s. Now Quince girls began to wear traditional ballroom gowns, invite their guests to dress up in elaborate finery, and observe dance and music rituals in a formal ball setting. As the people of the Island converted to the Roman Catholic Church, a special misa was also held to give thanks and praise for the young girl’s successful entrance into childhood.
Today, the Quince girl wears a special dress of either white or soft pastels, in keeping with her new womanhood. The first dance of the fiesta is reserved for the girl’s father, who then presents her to the world as a young woman.

    My Quince Favors.com wishes you a very happy Quinceañero! We offer a complete selection of gifts, elegant Quince favors, chambelanes and damas gifts, and even accessories to make your fiesta a night your guests will always remember. Visit us online at www.myquincefavors.com.