The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

15TH BIRTHDAY--QUINCE ANOS

PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR CELEBRATE THE GIRLS' 15TH BIRTHDAY
BY GOING TO A SPECIAL MASS, IN WHICH THE GIRL GIVES THANKS
THAT GOD HAS LET HER GROW TO BE A WOMAN.
IN THE RICHER FAMILIES A LARGE PARTY IS THROWN. FIRST
THE FAMILY GOES TO MASS AND THEN THEY ALL GO TO A HALL FOR
THE FESTIVAL. THE GIRL HAS 14 ATTENDANTS (BOYS AND GIRLS)
WHO REPRESENT THE YEARS PAST.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THE CELEBRATION IS A CROSS BETWEEN A
WEDDING AND OUR COMING OUT PARTIES, FOR 16-YEAR-OLD GIRLS.

Where learned: WESTERN YMCA

Date learned: 11-11-1971