The traditional male attendants in a quinceañera court are called chambelanes.
Chambelanes usually accompany the quinceañera during formal entrances, choreographed dances, and other presentation moments. They may be relatives, friends, or classmates, and the number of attendants is chosen by the family rather than fixed by a universal rule.
The court may also include damas, or female attendants. Together, the attendants create a formal group similar in appearance to a ceremonial court. Their clothing is often coordinated with the celebrant’s gown and the event’s color scheme, though modern celebrations frequently adjust the traditional format.
Chambelán is the singular form, while chambelanes is plural. In some regions, other terms are used for male attendants, and some celebrations omit a court entirely. The word should not be confused with padrinos, who are sponsors or honored adults, or mariachis, who are musicians.