Table of Contents
Series Foreword Ilan Stavans vii
Introduction ix
I Preparativos 1
Quinceañera Debutante: Rites and Regalia of American Debdom Karal Ann Marling 3
La Quinceañera: Making Gender and Ethnic Identities Karen Mary Dávalos 7
The Power of Ritual in a Chicano Community: A Young Woman's Status and Expanding Family Ties Ruth Horowitz 30
From Church Blessing to Quinceañera Barbie®: America as "Spiritual Benefactor" in La Quinceañera Kristen Deiter 47
Becoming a Mujercita: Rituals, Fiestas, and Religious Discourses Valentina Napolitano 64
Performances of Race, Culture, Class, and Religion in the Somerville Community Sara Arcaya 83
II Testimonios 109
Give Us This Day Judith Ortiz-Cofer 111
La Bendición Julia Alvarez 113
A Conversation with Francisca "Panchita" Dávila 124
Selected Bibliography 127
Index 129
About the Editor and Contributors 133
