The Concept of a Coming of Age Ceremony in Different Cultures - Essay Example

Coming of Age in the Americas Although each individual inevitably feels, at least to some extent, thattheir culture is the only culture that behaves in a certain way, looking across cultures often reveals a great deal of similarity. A comparison of similarities not only in types of traditions held, such as winter celebrations or coming of age ceremonies, but in the practices and ideas associated with each of these traditions can reveal a great deal about just how similar cultures can be while retaining an element of individuality. Although the individual practices associated with a tradition such as a mid-winter celebration may be widely different between cultures such as the predominant culture in England and the predominant culture in China, geographically closer groups of people tend to have much greater similarities. The concept of a coming of age ceremony is common to almost every culture on the globe. Like the earlier example, the difference between a coming of age ceremony in Africa is much different from a coming of age ceremony in North America. However, a comparison of the traditions and practices behind the coming of age celebration known as Quinceanera held in the Latin culture remains very similar to the original concepts behind the Sweet 16 tradition observed in the United States and in the white cultures of the North American continent while still reflecting some differences that remain between the two groups. The South American or Latin tradition of Quinceanera is traditionally held when a girl turns 15 and marks the passage of the young girl into womanhood. The word itself is a combination of the Spanish words for ‘15’ and ‘years’. Reflecting the more traditional culture, the celebration includes spiritual, material and social elements that help the girl make a psychological transition from the child to the adult. According to the Quinceanera-Boutique (2006), the ceremony usually starts with a special religious service often held within the Catholic church. One of the traditional gifts given to the young girl is an ornately decorated kneeling pillow including the girl’s name for use during this service. Following the religious ceremony, there is often a formal reception with numerous traditions and symbolic practices still observed. In keeping with the formal occasion, the girls are usually dressed in full gowns and accompanied by young men in tuxedoes. The young woman performs a choreographed dance with her ‘court’ of seven couples as a means of thanking her guests for attending and a special waltz with her father as he dances a last dance with his little girl. “One of the sweetest and most popular Quinceanera traditions is when the young lady gets to dance with her father in front of everyone. Usually a very special song will be chosen, often with Spanish lyrics, and many a father has found himself teary on the dance floor with his newly come-of-age daughter. Additionally, the guest of honor will wear flat shoes at first and will be presented with a pair of elegant, heeled shoes to signify her more grown-up status” (“Keeping Quinceanera”, 2005). As can be seen from the descriptions of many of these traditions, the celebration is characterized by a great deal of formality, somber reflection and joyous dancing, an interesting combination that suitably marks this important time of a young woman’s life. The North Americans have a similar tradition celebrated one year later than its Latino counterpart that is referred to as the Sweet 16 party. The difference in age at which the celebration is held is presumed to be because of a cultural difference in which girls (and boys) are given other adulthood status within the legal system – for example, the United States awards driver’s licenses and majority to individuals at the age of 16. Like the Latin celebration, the concept of the Sweet 16 party is that the young girl is passing from her youth into her adulthood and is typically celebrated with a large party and the observance of a few specific traditions; however it is usually much more low-key. While the traditional Quinceaneros party includes a formal sit-down dinner and formal cake almost equal to the wedding cake, ideas for the Sweet 16 party are much less structured. “Ideas for an informal 16th party can take advantage of the classic teen foods like pizza, ice cream sundaes, sub sandwiches, nachos, and lots of soda” (Lenaghan, 2007). Ideas for party themes range from the more traditional outlook represented in the Quinceaneros by focusing on the princess concept, other ideas include more casual settings such as a luau on the beach or a bowling party. Despite this, more and more Sweet 16 parties are taking on some of the material splendor of the Quinceaneros, referred to in popular culture as the Super Sweet 16 party. Among the traditions featured in the Sweet 16 party is the father/daughter dance and the candle lighting ceremony. Like everything else about the Sweet 16 party, the father/daughter dance is much less structured, not necessarily comprised of a waltz, but instead to a song of the family’s choosing and with no particular emphasis on a specific type of dance. As the parties become more elaborate, so do the entertainment venues, ranging from the boom box CD player to the live DJ or band. The candle lighting ceremony is perhaps the more reverent aspect of the party. According to Party411 (2007), this ceremony is intended to honor the 16 guests who have made a significant difference in the life of the young girl thus far. The ceremony itself consists of calling up each individual person to light a candle and telling the party attendants something about how this person made a difference in the girl’s life. Although the Sweet 16 party does not traditionally include any sort of religious ceremony, the candle lighting ceremony injects a sense of community and social ties to the occasion. In each ceremony, then, it can be seen that the young girl is making a transition from her childhood to her adulthood, recognizing her elders or those who have made a difference in her life, celebrating her passage into a new, more responsible role and reinforcing her ties to family and friends. Each event is celebrated with food, music and dancing, but the level of formality involved in each is quite different. While the Quinceaneros doesn’t seem to be quite complete without the inclusion of sit-down dinners, formal attire and structured dances, the Sweet 16 party is characterized by a greater focus on fun and games and less attention given to formality. While it is allowed and lavish parties have been thrown, commonly referred to as Super Sweet 16 parties, the average soon-to-be 16 year old in the United States does not necessarily feel out of place because they wish to have a beach party, pool party, bowling party or no party. While the two traditions are quite closely related, it can be seen through this analysis that they have diverged between the two cultures and are now beginning to draw together again as young girls begin desiring the same kind of attention and depth experienced by their Latin friends and neighbors. Works Cited “Keeping Quinceanera Traditions Alive.” Quinceanera Party. (2005). April 5, 2007 Lenaghan, John. “Sweet 16th Birthday Party Ideas.” Ezine Articles. (2007). April 5, 2007 “Sweet 16 Planning Guide.” Party411. (2007). April 5, 2007 “Traditions.” Quinceanera-Boutique. (December 6, 2006). Fort Myers, FL. April 5, 2007 Read More