Last night was one of. the most wonderful experiences we have had in Panama and this gal forgot her camera. I am so mad that I could be so stupid but will try to describe the experience through words.
Our friends Bob and Pat have a Panamanian family that lives on their property, it was a daughter of that family that we attended the first communion for.. Last night her sister had her Quiencieneta - her 15th birthday party. From what I have read there are 2 huge days in the life of a girl in Panama- her first birthday and her 15th.
For a little back ground you must understand that this family is not rich - in fact I am sure they live day to day. Jesus the father works and earns $260 a month- Rosa the mother cleans homes. With the assistance of donors their children attend a private school and one will be attending college this year with scholarships.
That leads us to last night. We were invited through Bob and Pat who asked Rosa if it was okay. The event was held at the fair grounds in the main building. It costs $80 to rent ( remember the families income is less than $300 a month) We arrived at 8 and with typical Panamanian ways it really did not get started until 9:30. We went in signed a guest book and found our assigned table. The invitation included the name of a movie and on each table was a decoration that the top was a star with the movie name. Some of the names were in Spanish and some in English???? Starwars, Apollo 13, Wizard of Oz over 50 tables set for 4. All with red table cloths. In the front of the room was a stage and all the decorations were related to movies and records, in the center was a chair draped with cloth and it reminded me of a throne- there was a red carpet leading up to it. A DJ was playing typical teenage music and mostly in English.
After we had sat there about 1/2 hour the young girls went around and placed a bottle of rum on each table that was decorated with a bow and a picture of the birthday girl ( I am sorry but I cannot figure out how to spell her name!!!)then they walked around with a large bowl of chip like snacks.
At 9:30 the lights were dimmed and the procession began. There were teenage girls, and younger girls ( a couple were sisters) all dressed in white knee length dresses with gold sashes and gold heeled shoes. The boys were in black pants, white shirts ( always here) and gold ties. The announced each couple just like when a wedding party arrives- the couples danced there way to the center of the floor then lined up on each side of the red carpet. 3 young couples probably 4-6 years old entered and each girl carried a pillow much like a ring bearers pillow the first held a ring box, the 2nd a pair of gold shoes and the last a tierra.
Finally she entered dressed in a pink and gold formal gown - fancy makeup and escorted on each side by a tall handsome teenage boy. She danced and twirled her way to her thrown and was seated.
Then there was the presentation of the items on the pillows. Her father presented her with a ring, her mother the gold shoes and she placed them on her feet, her crown placed on her head and then she was presented a bouquet of red roses that were then handed out individually to people special in her life - parents, sisters, brother, grandparents and friends, Each walked up to her received the rose and kissed on the cheek. All this time a professional photographer was snapping pictures ( now remember the income this party was put on by).
Then there was the first dance - once again it had all the looks of an Iowa wedding with the father taking his daughter to the dance floor for a waltz. Then men and boys cut in and danced with her- each time the photographer would take a picture of them.
Just as we thought things were winding down in the door came a LOUD band playing the traditional Panamanian music which means loud horns and drum beating!!! It was so startling as they played the "birthday party" broke into couples and danced with the birthday girl leading them around the dance floor.
I laughed as Bob leaned over to me and said the only musical instrument they were missing was a jack hammer- so that gives you an idea of the sound.
The parents finally thanked everyone for coming as glasses of champagne were passed out and a toast to the girl was given.
Next came 2 groups of teens doing dance routines much like I envision in the streets of NY- the 2nd group included the birthday girl doing more what I would call a cheerleading routine. As they finished our food was served to us at our tables no buffet line here- typical meal of roasted pork ( but ours was mostly roasted fat!!!) beans and rice, potato salad and tamales. I cannot say it was good but there was a lot of it. We never did receive anything to mix the rum with sorry to say.
The DJ took over and the young people took to the dance floor - I love to watch the people here dance- it is not jumping and moving around without any real partners it is more like I remember my parents dancing - but with more jive!!! It seems like from the time they learn to walk they learn to dance as the little ones did almost as good as the older ones. We did not stay long enough to see the beautiful 3 layer cake cut but our ears had had enough!!
The night was special and I am in awe that this family could afford to host such an affair- Pat had said they had been saving for more than a year. Luckily the next girl will not turn 15 for a couple of years. The entire night was an experience for all of my senses- A night that felt like combination of homecoming queen, Cinderella, wedding and of course birthday. A night I will think back on often and wonder why these type of traditions have not made it into our culture ???
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