BYUH students explain the cultural significance of different ages
Reaching birthday milestones each year can have different meanings around the globe, said BYU—Hawaii students who shared some of the cultural and societal significances of birthday celebrations from their home countries.
Quinceñeara
Raisa Gordillo, a sophomore from Guatemala majoring in hotel and tourism management, said, “We celebrate our quinceñeara as a transition from a kid to a young girl.” She continued, “The celebration of turning 15 is the biggest birthday.... You get to have a chaperone and madrinas [godmothers] to help with the whole celebration.
“The chaperone is the first person you dance in the center of the party, which symbolizes your first dance with a boy,” said Gordillo. In order to afford a big celebration, Gordillo said, “Madrinas, godmothers, help share the parents’ responsibilities. You get a madrina for everything: Your shoes, your dress, the cake…. Everything.”
Gordillo explained for her quinceñeara, she had two cakes and friends coming over. “I asked my mom to prepare my favorite food, and my grandma to make me a dress.”
“21”
Lindokuhle Mbuli, a freshman from Eswatini, South Africa, majoring in biochemistry, said, “The 21st birthday is the biggest birthday a person can ever have.” He explained in Eswatini when you turn 21, a big celebration is usually made to give you the keys to do whatever you want. “When I turned 21, I sat down with my mom, and she told me, ‘Now you come to me and I will just give you advice, but the final decision is yours to make,’” stated Mbuli.
There is no specific way to celebrate your 21st birthday, said Mbuli. It depends on the individual. “Culture-wise, we are pretty modernized. So some people will have a big party where they will ask their guests to wear a themed outfit. But otherwise, it’s mostly celebrated with family and friends casually,” he added.
What makes the celebrations significant is you are now considered an independent adult, said Mbuli.
One-year-old “Doljanchi”
Haerim Cho, a junior from Korea majoring in piano performance, shared the meaning behind “Doljanchi.”
“Back in the days in Korea, because of a lot of wars and diseases, it was very hard for infants to survive [their first year] .... A lot of babies died. So when they hit 1 year [of age], that means they’re going to live long.”
Cho said for the 1-year-old party, the baby wears a hanbok, traditional clothing, and the parents have to prepare 10-to-15 objects from a traditional list. “The objects from the list can be money, a stethoscope, a mic… and all of them are put in front of the baby to pick,” stated Cho. She said the object picked doesn’t mean the baby will have to do this job as an adult but rather learn to acquire the responsibilities and qualities of it as the child grows older.
“20: coming of age”
“When you turn 20 in Japan, your home city will hold an event at the beginning of the year [January] where everyone, who celebrated their 20th birthday the precedent year, is invited,” shared Kotone Hori, a junior from Japan majoring in TESOL.
Hori explained the event is not designed to replace the 20th birthday celebration. “You still get to celebrate your birthday because during the event you wear your [expensive kimono] and only listen to someone’s talk,” she stated.
Hori added, “Turning 20 and celebrating it with everyone of the same age is our graduation to becoming adults.” She continued, ”Once the event is done, we just spend time with our family and take many pictures in our [kimono].” Hori added people can choose with their families whether or not they want to re-celebrate they birthday over some refreshments on that day.
Sweet 17
Giovanni Boenari, a sophomore from Indonesia majoring in information technology, said “At 17, in Indonesia, you are considered an adult.” He explained 17 is the age when you get your own state ID, your driver’s license and all legal documents.
Boenari shared, “Even though it is a big day because the majority of the population in Indonesia is Muslim, we don’t really celebrate it [like a birthday] here in the States.” He continued, “The correct way to celebrate someone’s birthday is through prayers instead of wasting money.”
He said despite Indonesia being predominant Muslim, some people still choose to celebrate 17 with a big party. However, there’s no particular tradition attached to it, Boenari shared. “We don’t wear our traditional attire for this event,” he stated.