Not currently on display at the V&A

Yemanja

Costume Design
2002 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Two designs by Ali Pretty for the Baiana costumes, as part of the Yemanja production, 2002. The production would be performed at the Isle of White Festival, The Thames Festival, Ryde Carnival, and Canterbury Festival as part of a national touring programme funded by the Arts Council of Great Britain.

The Baianas are a consistent section in Brazilian carnivals. The designs were inspired by Ali Pretty's research in Salvador, Brazil and witnessing the Yemanja festival, where offerings of flowers are collected in baskets and blesed by the Baianas, and then taken out to see by fishermen to honour the Orixa goddess of the sea, Yemanja.



Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleYemanja (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Costume design by Ali Pretty for the Baiana in Yemanja, 2002
Physical description
The design shows two figures wearing white dresses, decorated with large underskirts and blue ribbons around the waist. The underskirts have a blue fish pattern, with frilled hems. The performers are wearing pointed grey headresses with blue bows attached and blue beads hanging over the eyes. Their arms are outstretched carrying baskets of white flowers.
Dimensions
  • Height: 39cm
  • Width: 29.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
BAIANAS © Ali Pretty '02
Credit line
Given by Ali Pretty
Associations
Summary
Two designs by Ali Pretty for the Baiana costumes, as part of the Yemanja production, 2002. The production would be performed at the Isle of White Festival, The Thames Festival, Ryde Carnival, and Canterbury Festival as part of a national touring programme funded by the Arts Council of Great Britain.

The Baianas are a consistent section in Brazilian carnivals. The designs were inspired by Ali Pretty's research in Salvador, Brazil and witnessing the Yemanja festival, where offerings of flowers are collected in baskets and blesed by the Baianas, and then taken out to see by fishermen to honour the Orixa goddess of the sea, Yemanja.

Other number
THM/426/21/1/6 - Archive number
Collection
Accession number
S.297-2016

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMay 18, 2016
Record URL
Download as: JSON