what is a quinceanera

A quinceañera is a celebration of a girls 15th birthday, marking her passage from girlhood to womanhood. It has cultural roots in Mexico and is widely celebrated by girls throughout Latin America, as well as in Latino communities in the United States and elsewhere. The celebration is both a religious and a social event that emphasizes the importance of family and society in the life of a young woman. The celebration is generally as elaborate as the means of the family will allow, and can include symbolic actions such as the presentation of a doll to a younger sister to show that the celebrant is giving up her childhood, and the placement of heeled shoes on her feet to indicate that she is ready for womanhood. Traditionally, the dance portion of the quince includes a choreographed waltz-type dance that is prepared and is considered one of the main events of the evening. Toasts are often offered, and sometimes the cutting of a fancy cake is also involved. While the celebration originally signified that the girl was prepared for marriage, the modern celebration is more likely to signal the beginning of formal dating.