The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MEXICAN CUSTOM

IN MEXICO WHEN A GIRL TURNS FIFTEEN SHE HAS REACHED THE "AGE
OF ILLUSION" OR IS ON THE "THRESHOLD OF WOMANHOOD." AT
THIS TIME SHE IS TO BE PRESENTED TO SOCIETY. THE PREPARATIONS
START AT LEAST SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT. IN SOME CASES,
WEALTHY PARENTS SPEND AS MUCH ON THIS OCCASION AS THEY WOULD
FOR A WEDDING. THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE DETAILS THAT
HAVE TO BE ARRANGED.
INVITATIONS:
EXAMPLE: MR. & MRS. JUAN GONZALEZ
REQUEST THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE
AT THE MASS OF THANKSGIVING
THAT WILL BE OFFERED
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1971
AT HOLY REDEEMER CHURCH
JUNCTION & W. VERNOR
IN HONOR OF THEIR DAUGHTER
MARIA
WHO WILL BE CELEBRATING HER
FIFTEENTH BIRTHDAY

Submitter comment: THE ABOVE IS ARRANGED ON THE INVITATION LIKE A WEDDING
INVITATION ACCORDING TO THE 5 X 8 CARD. ESCORT: THE GIRL'S ESCORT MAY BE A FAMILY FRIEND, A BROTHER, OR COUSIN. HE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 18 YRS. OLD. "DAMAS" & ESCORTS: THE GIRL MUST CHOOSE FROM AMONG HER FRIENDS FOURTEEN GIRLS TO BE HER "DAMAS." THESE GIRLS WILL EACH REPRESENT ONE YEAR IN HER LIFE. SHE HERSELF WILL REPRESENT THE FIFTEENTH. THE "DAMAS" MUST DRESS FORMALLY AS WELL AS THEIR ESCORTS. FORMAL DRESS: PINK IS THE TRADITIONAL COLOR WORN BY THE GIRL FOR THIS EVENT BUT WHITE IS SOMETIMES PREFERRED. IT MAY BE OF LACE OR ANY DRESSY MATERIAL. AT THE CHURCH THE GIRL KNEELS BETWEEN HER PARENTS. TEARS OF JOY ARE USUALLY SHED BY THE PROUD PARENTS AS THEY REALIZE THAT THEIR LITTLE GIRL HAS GROWN UP. AFTER THE MASS THE PEOPLE GO TO THE RECEPTION. AFTER THE DINNER, THE BAND PLAYS A WALTZ AS SHE MAKES A GRAND ENTRANCE AND DANCES WITH HER FATHER. HALFWAY THROUGH, THE FATHER TURNS HER OVER TO HER ESCORT; AFTER THAT, THE "DAMAS" AND THEIR ESCORTS JOIN IN. THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MEXICAN TRADITIONS; HONORING A GIRL AT THAT TENDER AGE. IT IS A MOMENTOUS OCCASION IN THE LIFE OF A MEXICAN GIRL, AND IT CAN BE STATED THAT SHE WILL CHERISH THIS EVENT AS BEING SECOND ONLY TO HER WEDDING DAY.
THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS STILL DO PRACTICE THIS
CUSTOM IN DETROIT (MICHIGAN).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-15-1971