By the time you were three years old, you probably knew what to expect when it was your birthday: you might have a cake with candles, perhaps a party, a few presents, and hopefully lots of fun! Families in Mexico tend to make a big deal about birthdays, just as many families in the United States do. However, one birthday is extra special for Mexican girls. Watch this video to learn more about it—if you don’t already know!
Let's Watch
The video you just watched is full of clues about things that are part of most girls' quinceañeras. What did you see?
A quinceañera (Spanish for 15-year-old) is a Mexican tradition that is also practiced by many families in the United States. The tradition is hundreds of years old, but some elements have been added more recently. Listen to this story about a girl who is about to turn fifteen. What do you learn about the quinceañera from this story? What has always been part of the tradition, and what may be a more recent addition?
A Big Birthday
If you listened carefully, you should understand many more details about the quinceañera tradition. See if you can answer these questions correctly.
What does a girl’s quinceañera symbolize, or mean?
In traditional Mexican culture, fifteen is the age when a girl is considered a young woman.
In traditional Mexican culture, fifteen is the age when a girl is considered a young woman.
In traditional Mexican culture, fifteen is the age when a girl is considered a young woman.
What happens before the big party on a girl’s quinceañera?
There is a special mass for the birthday girl, which gives the event a more serious focus.
There is a special mass for the birthday girl, which gives the event a more serious focus.
There is a special mass for the birthday girl, which gives the event a more serious focus.
Why do girls give a doll to a younger sister or cousin at their quinceañeras? What does this part of the ceremony mean?
In Mexican culture, fifteen is the age when girls are expected to behave like women and less like children.
In Mexican culture, fifteen is the age when girls are expected to behave like women and less like children.
In Mexican culture, fifteen is the age when girls are expected to behave like women and less like children.
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