Cuban Rumba Dress

Associated Name

Cruz, Celia

designer

Arteaga, Enrique

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.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Celia Cruz

ca 1992

1973-1987

ID Number

1997.0291.01

accession 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

Place Made

United States

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_834229

Usage of Metadata (Object Detail Text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

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