The Celebration of Quinceañera

One of the things we noticed in Panama is how they love their "Fiestas"! They seem to have an occasion for everything. As we were travelling down the road we noticed what appeared to be a small parade. There were a number of teenagers hooting and hollering. I took some pictures. 

It wasn't until later when we learned that this was the celebration called Quinceañera or Quince años. It is the celebration of a young girl at the age of 15 being welcomed into young womanhood. The tradition is to wear pink and she is given gifts of jewelry. There is usually a church celebration followed by a dance at which time the Señorita will have her first dance with the Chambelan who is her date for the night. The dance is a traditional ballroom waltz called the Vals.


The Chambelan initiates the dance by requesting the Quinceañera to join him in the Vals. This dance is usually followed by dances with her father and godfather and other close male relatives. During this time other guests join them on the floor to dance as well. 


The godparents are usually responsible for the arrangement of the ceremonies and are also responsible for the religious upbringing of the girl in the Catholic religion.


This cultural aspect of Panama is quite common in other Latino countries although the celebrations may differ slightly, the common element is that the family is welcoming the young daughter into womanhood.