Zangbeto Side Table By Salù Iwadi Studio Blends Benin’s Culture With Contemporary Design

The Zangbeto Side Table is a meticulously crafted wooden furniture designed by Salù Iwadi Studio. It draws inspiration from Benin’s Zangbeto masquerade – a vibrant and deeply symbolic tradition representing guardianship, spiritual protection, and communal unity.

According to the designers, Zangbeto side table embodies the “blend of spirituality, tradition, and communal unity that defines their role in Beninese culture.” Their movements are a powerful visual and symbolic expression of their purpose as protectors and spiritual intermediaries. “This ritual dance is said to be a transition between the physical and spiritual realms, reflecting the cyclical nature of life, unity, and the interconnectedness of all things”, said the designers. The spinning movement echoes the belief in the “perpetual flow of energy within the universe”, a key concept in many African cosmologies.

This design not only translates the essence of the Zangbeto into functional art but also serves as a narrative vessel, inviting a deeper connection to West African traditions through contemporary design.

– Salù Iwadi Studio

Rooted in the cultural heritage of the Ogu (or Egùn) people, the Zangbeto masquerade, which inspired the round side table design, is more than a performance — it is an intricate ritual that bridges the physical and spiritual worlds. Watch the video below:

The design process of the Zangbeto Side Table demonstrating how elements are added in layers to mirror the Zangbeto Masquerade.

The table’s appearance captures the dynamism, spirituality, and cultural richness of the Zangbeto by embodying its physical form, energy, and symbolic depth. The designers states, “It transforms these abstract and performative qualities into tangible design elements, forging a dialogue between traditional storytelling and modern functionality”.

The overall structure of the table is inspired by the iconic conical shape of the Zangbeto costumes, which are crafted from layers of cascading raffia. The conical silhouette is reinterpreted through the use of layered wooden fins, arranged radially and in a spiraling configuration. “These fins evoke the centrifugal energy and hypnotic motion of the Zangbeto’s spinning dances, creating a sense of perpetual rotation” – they add.

Hand-carved with meticulous attention, the Zangbeto side table’s tiers simulate motion frozen in time, imbuing the static object with dynamic, kinetic energy.  The fins taper upward in a seamless gradient, balancing structural stability with visual elegance.

The designers explain, “This tapering design not only reflects the ascending movement of the Zangbeto’s dances but also creates an illusion of lightness, as though the table is levitating above the ground”. Additionally, the angular configuration allows the side table to double as a bookshelf, providing functional versatility.

They further noted that the intricate interplay of negative space between the fins further enhances this effect, allowing light to pass through and casting dynamic shadows that mimic the movement of the masquerade.

The table top design extends the narrative by incorporating carved spiral ridges that ripple outward from the center. The designers describe this as concentric patterns that symbolize the energy pathways and vibrations generated by the Zangbeto’s ceremonial performances.

The spirals also evoke the cosmic flow of energy and life, reinforcing the central themes of interconnectedness and cyclical renewal. This design detail invites tactile engagement, encouraging viewers to trace the carved paths and experience the story through touch as well as sight.

More than a functional object, this piece challenges viewers and users to engage with cultural narratives in a tangible and interactive way. According to the designers, it not only celebrates and honors the spirit of the Zangbeto as a cultural guardian, but also demonstrates the potential of design to act as a medium for storytelling, education, and cultural preservation.

Through its thoughtful design and rich symbolism, the Zangbeto Side Table invites exploration of the “interconnectedness of life, culture, and art,” offering a modern lens through which to experience the traditions of West Africa.

GALLERY –

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