Quinceañera The Debutante Celebration - Cuba
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On her 15th birthday a girl is introduced to society as prepared for marriage. They consider she changes from a girl to a woman at this age.
I was lucky to attend this part of the ceremony during my visit to Trindad, Cuba.
Trindad is a World Heritage of Humanity village that has strong colonial influences (architecture and traditions). This tradition was introduced by the Spaniards but also has a strong French influence.
It is composed of a religious ceremony, a photo shoot and a feast of plenty of food and drinks with accompanying music and dancing. Sometimes professional dancers are hired for the event too.
It is not something that happens frequently, but for this Cuban community it was a celebration of extreme importance.
It is at this point that the illegal emigrants are permitted to make a returning visit to Cuba and reunite with the family and in many cases pay for the whole event.
For such poor folks, this feast is filled with wealth and exaggerations. The debutante is photographed by a professional photographer, and she ends up looking much like a bride. This photographic ceremonial goes through several changes of clothes and in typical situations and positions.
Trindad, Cuba 2008
I was lucky to attend this part of the ceremony during my visit to Trindad, Cuba.
Trindad is a World Heritage of Humanity village that has strong colonial influences (architecture and traditions). This tradition was introduced by the Spaniards but also has a strong French influence.
It is composed of a religious ceremony, a photo shoot and a feast of plenty of food and drinks with accompanying music and dancing. Sometimes professional dancers are hired for the event too.
It is not something that happens frequently, but for this Cuban community it was a celebration of extreme importance.
It is at this point that the illegal emigrants are permitted to make a returning visit to Cuba and reunite with the family and in many cases pay for the whole event.
For such poor folks, this feast is filled with wealth and exaggerations. The debutante is photographed by a professional photographer, and she ends up looking much like a bride. This photographic ceremonial goes through several changes of clothes and in typical situations and positions.
Trindad, Cuba 2008
LiaF7 › @Smokey2017 it is an old tradition. Even last century many were married from 16 to 20 years old. Over 20 parents would start worring they would only be aunts. Today youngsters don't get married or make that decision nearer to their 30s.
In Cuba this tradition is like a big ceremony for them. Other countries in high society at this age they do the debutante ball where daughters of wealthy people are shown to young men of wealthy families. It's to say: Hey I am available for courtship, lets keep wealth together lol. Doesn't mean they will get married at that age.
In Cuba this tradition is like a big ceremony for them. Other countries in high society at this age they do the debutante ball where daughters of wealthy people are shown to young men of wealthy families. It's to say: Hey I am available for courtship, lets keep wealth together lol. Doesn't mean they will get married at that age.
LiaF7 › That is something I have learnt in my travelling... so many different traditions. And what is normal for some is a shock for others.
ze2000 › I think this is wrong, even if it's tradition...
LiaF7 › Hey @ze2000 maybe some tribes in Africa think the money we spend on a wedding ceremony and cocktails and honeymoon are wrong too.
In Cuba people are poor, on this date family comes from abroad and in most cases pay all expensives. Girls feel like princesses and everyone has plenty of food to party.
Very difficult to stop a tradition that makes them so happy.
In Cuba people are poor, on this date family comes from abroad and in most cases pay all expensives. Girls feel like princesses and everyone has plenty of food to party.
Very difficult to stop a tradition that makes them so happy.
Smokey2017 › Every culture every tradition is different to what we have grown up with
LiaF7 › In USA i know there is a big party for the "sweet sixteen". I know my niece had a party and a cruise with friends for her 16th birthday.
Smokey2017 › Blimey when I was 16 I had my closest friends come home for a party
How the times have changed
What happens if you don't have the money
How the times have changed
What happens if you don't have the money
Smokey2017 › Don't you think that teenagers want the same things as pop stars or very near that
What happens when family don't have rhe money for a lavish party
What happens when family don't have rhe money for a lavish party
LiaF7 › See @Smokey2017 the 16th is different from other years why? There has to be an antique tradition related to it.
Smokey2017 › So what happens for 18 21 30
LiaF7 › In Cuba and spanish cultures it is 15. To anglo-saxons the 16th is special.
Smokey2017 › I thibk all ages are special as your birthday comes once a year so why not partee
LiaF7 › Normal birthdays. I think the jewish have a special birthdate for boys too.
But for my knowledge the english speaking communities have a special treatment for the girls "sweet sixteen" Boys don't have a 16th special birthday.
But for my knowledge the english speaking communities have a special treatment for the girls "sweet sixteen" Boys don't have a 16th special birthday.
Smokey2017 › That not fair they should have a uproar over that
LiaF7 › Yes I agree. I always celebrate life. But what I am focusing on is putting a year more important than others in different cultures.
Smokey2017 › What happens if marriage doesn't work out will it be divorce
LiaF7 › @Smokey2017 don't forget that this is only an exhibition. Like parents saying... hey i have a daughter unmarried, anyone want to court her? She can be married 10 years later. This is only a showoff like ze said.
KimJohnson › Very cool.
When they are just developing their own identity