The origins of the event are thought to have begun among the indigenous peoples of Mexico, who had rituals for both boys and girls to mark when the boys became warriors and when the girls were ready for marriage. Later, in the 1800s, the event evolved as a way for parents to celebrate the arrival of their daughters into society for courtship and marriage.
Boys can have such a celebration, known as a quincea ero, but it's much rarer.
Today, the ritual is common in Mexico and some countries of Central America, and in U.S. cities where people from those countries now live. Having a quincea era is optional in Hispanic culture, as is the Catholic Mass that frequently accompanies the event. In some U.S. cities, the quincea era is so common that Catholic churches celebrate group quincea era Masses. Vonhandorf said with a chuckle. Barbara Isaacs E-mail this story to a friend.