News Details

On 7 August 2026, students of the course SOC7415: Women, Society and Development, accompanied by the course instructor Dr. Mumita Tanjeela, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, East West University, visited Jamdani Polli in Sonargaon, one of the oldest traditional tanti (weaving) communities in Bangladesh. The field visit was arranged with the support of the Society for Urban and Rural Advancement (SURA).

The visit was organized as part of the course's experiential learning activities. Its primary purpose was to provide students with an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the lives and livelihoods of Jamdani weavers and to understand the challenges associated with sustaining this traditional occupation. Particular attention was given to the experiences and challenges of female weavers at both household and market levels, using relevant gender analysis frameworks.

The field experience also helped students understand that traditional livelihoods are not simply economic activities; they are closely connected to community identity, cultural heritage, family traditions, and intergenerational knowledge. At the same time, the community faces various challenges that affect the sustainability of traditional weaving as a livelihood. Particular attention was given to the experiences of women involved in weaving and related household activities. From a gender perspective, students were encouraged to consider how productive and reproductive responsibilities are distributed within households and how women's contributions to traditional production may remain less visible or less valued despite their importance to household livelihoods. The experience can also serve as a foundation for developing community-oriented project proposals.