The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"QUENCERA"

"QUENCERA" IS A PARTY GIVEN FOR A GIRL WHO TURNS FIFTEEN
AND BECOMES A WOMAN. THIS BIG COMING OUT PARTY IS MADE UP
OF FOURTEEN GIRLS WEARING THE SAME DRESS AND THE BIRTHDAY
GIRL (THE FIFTEENTH), WEARING A WHITE DRESS THAT LOOKS LIKE
A BRIDAL GOWN. THE BIRTHDAY GIRL HAS 25-50 GODPARENTS THAT
BUY HER THE DRESS, SHOES, CROWN, NECKLACE, RING, AND
EARRINGS; THEY ALSO PAY FOR THE MUSIC, DANCE HALL, AND FOOD.

Submitter comment: THREE YEARS AGO, MY SISTER-IN-LAW'S NIECE, RUBY, HAD HER
COMING OUT PARTY IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.
SPANISH COMING-OUT PARTY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-17-1984