Quinceanera

A Quinceanera is a Hispanic tradition that celebrates when a young girl reaches maturity. This is when its a girls sixteenth birthday. Now in America we would us relate it to when a girl celebrates her sixteenth birthday. They celebrate it with a party and everything just like an American party just with some extra twists. Also its a little more personal than an American sweet sixteen.

The Quinceanera celebration traditionally begins with a religious gathering. that is held in a house or banquet e hall. afterwards there is a party with  food and music, and a choreographed waltz or dance from the 16 year old girl and a group of her closest friends or family mainly called the cour of honor. The Quinceanera's Court of honor can be comprised of all young girls called the Dama, or all young men called Chambelán or Escorte or a combination of both.

The Quinceanera usually wears a ball gown, with her Court dressed in dresses and tuxedos. A most popular tradition is the Changing of the Shoes.  This is where the father or favored male relative changes the young girl’s flat shoes to high heels. This is a symbol of the girls transformation from a little girl to a young lady. 

Another tradition is the last doll used as decoration and keepsake.  The doll represents the things of a child that the young lady will no longer focus on.     http://www.quinceanera-boutique.com/quinceaneratradition.htm