The Quinciniera of
Miriam Ortega
A
quinciniera is a "coming out" ceremony for a girl who has reached her
15th birthday. It is a ritual/party particular to Mexico and parts of Central
America. Miriam Ortega, a beautiful daughter of Victor and Juana, had celebrated
her quinciniera April 20th in Mata Ortíz a few years ago. I was honored to be
the padrino of the photographs.
Preparations had taken place for weeks for the Mass and the dinner and dance to
follow. Two days before the ceremony, a calf was killed and a barbacoa tipe
estofado was prepared. After the meat had aged outside overnight, it was
placed in a new metal garbage can and various vegetables, spices and liquors
were added. A four-food deep pit had been dug in the Ortega's corral and the
inside was heated all day with a wood fire. At 4 pm the garbage can of food was
lowered into the pit, which was then covered with dirt; it was not uncovered
until the next afternoon, just hours before the Mass.
Miriam was dressed as though for a wedding for the ceremonies. A lanky giggling
girl just the night before while visiting the Posada, now she carried herself as
a dignified woman with a grace which belied her years. Escorted by her brother,
Roberto, she entered the church, following an entourage of boys and girls,
specially dressed for the occasion.
During Mass, Padre Tomás, an American working in the village, 
challenged her
and the other youths to "seize the day" and make the most of their
lives.
Dinner at the Ortega home followed the Mass. The succulent barbacoa was
accompanied by rice and coleslaw. The beer and Tequila flowed freely. Thirteen
guests of the Posada were invited to dine with the Ortegas.
The dance at the Salón de Actos culminated the evening. The huge cake
with a castle-like structure over it had been placed at the foot of the stage, a
gift of two American padrinos--also Posada guests. The formalities began
with the entourage entering in pairs to a "waltz", followed by Miriam
and her brother dancing together. Then, she danced with each of the boys while
Berto did the same with the girls. Finally, Miriam honored her father while her
brother danced with his mother. Soon, everyone was dancing.
The families who put on such ceremonies may not have a lot of money, but they
will save and rely on the support of friends and padrinos for such
events. During the evening I was several times struck by how rich many Mexicans
really are.
Many thanks to Jim Pratt for the
scans.
Home Magazine
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Day Posada Guest
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©
Michael Williams, 2000. All Rights Reserved.
Last
updated: October 24, 2001. Email Webmaster at: sanukthai@hotmail.com
Preparations had taken place for weeks for the Mass and the dinner and dance to
follow. Two days before the ceremony, a calf was killed and a barbacoa tipe
estofado was prepared. After the meat had aged outside overnight, it was
placed in a new metal garbage can and various vegetables, spices and liquors
were added. A four-food deep pit had been dug in the Ortega's corral and the
inside was heated all day with a wood fire. At 4 pm the garbage can of food was
lowered into the pit, which was then covered with dirt; it was not uncovered
until the next afternoon, just hours before the Mass.
