TANGAIL, Bangladesh (AP) — The weavers’ neighborhood near Dhaka echoes with the constant clatter of the looms with rhythmic hand movements as the artisans use colorful silk and cotton threads to weave the iconic Tangail saree.
The handloom saree is named after a central Bangladesh district that is home to hundreds of weaver families. The garment is seen as the country’s cultural symbol, showcased during festivals and wedding celebrations across the Indian subcontinent.
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A weaver looks at the design blueprint for a Tangail saree as he operates a loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Shopkeepers arrange saris at a weekly wholesale market in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A customer examines a Tangail sari at a weekly wholesale market in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Tangail saris are displayed for sale at a weekly wholesale market in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
An artisan cuts excess thread from a Tangail saree at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A Tangail saree takes shape on a loom at a traditional weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A worker arranges dyed threads used in the making of Tangail saris at a workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver uses a spinning wheel to make yarn to be used in the making of Tangail sarees at a workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver crafts a Tangail saree on a traditional hand-operated loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Handloom weavers arrange threads at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver uses a spinning wheel to make yarn to be used in the making of Tangail sarees at a workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver crafts a Tangail saree on a traditional hand-operated loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver crafts a Tangail saree on a traditional hand-operated loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A shuttle holding the weft thread is seen on a hand-operated loom, which is used to create the renowned Tangail sarees at a traditional weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
The centuries-old traditional saree weaving art was nominated for inclusion in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity this year.
Every garment is crafted with a fusion of tradition and craftsmanship, with aesthetic designs and intricate motifs rooted in local culture. The men usually color the yarn, weave the fabric and create designs on the looms. Women help with spinning threads on the wheels.
The Tangail saree is not just a cultural icon, it also provides livelihood to hundreds of weaver families.
With rising raw material costs and competition from cheaper, machine-woven drapes, the community is facing waning interest from younger generations to continue in the family vocation. Handloom weavers hope the recognition and heritage status from UNESCO will help preserve their craft for future generations.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A weaver looks at the design blueprint for a Tangail saree as he operates a loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Shopkeepers arrange saris at a weekly wholesale market in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A customer examines a Tangail sari at a weekly wholesale market in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Tangail saris are displayed for sale at a weekly wholesale market in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
An artisan cuts excess thread from a Tangail saree at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A Tangail saree takes shape on a loom at a traditional weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A worker arranges dyed threads used in the making of Tangail saris at a workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver uses a spinning wheel to make yarn to be used in the making of Tangail sarees at a workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver crafts a Tangail saree on a traditional hand-operated loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Handloom weavers arrange threads at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver uses a spinning wheel to make yarn to be used in the making of Tangail sarees at a workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver crafts a Tangail saree on a traditional hand-operated loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A weaver crafts a Tangail saree on a traditional hand-operated loom at a weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
A shuttle holding the weft thread is seen on a hand-operated loom, which is used to create the renowned Tangail sarees at a traditional weaving workshop in Tangail District, Bangladesh, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
