Cuban Rumba Dress

Description:

This is a Bata Cubana, or Cuban Rumba dress, donated to the Smithsonian by Celia Cruz, the great Cuban salsa singer in 1997. An adaptation of the traditional Cuban rumba dress, it was made in the United States by Cuban-born designer José Arteaga. The Bata Cubana has its roots in the 19th century, with origins as diverse as the multicultural makeup of the people of Cuba. It brings together influences from Spanish, French, and African culture and dress, combining theater, fiesta, and the spectacle of carnival with slave and gypsy dress. The Bata Cubana is a garment worn for performance on stage or cabaret. Celia Cruz's Bata Cubana is made of orange polyester satin, trimmed with white nylon eyelet along ruffle-edges and eyelet beading along seams with inserted orange ribbon. The Bata Cubana was Celia's preferred performance costume.

Date Made: 1973 - 1987

Associated Name: Cruz, CeliaDesigner: Arteaga, Enrique

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Entertainment, Music & Musical Instruments, Popular Entertainment, Cultures & Communities

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Celia Cruz

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1997.0291.01Accession Number: 1997.0291

Object Name: dress

Physical Description: red (overall color)polyester (overall material)Measurements: overall: 55 in x 50 in x 93 in; 139.7 cm x 127 cm x 236.22 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-6eb0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_834229

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.