Observations · Al-Thumairi Market, Riyadh

The Agal Maker

In our culture, the agal is more than an accessory; it is a mark of dignity, made by hand. Weaving one takes patience: each thread is bound tightly to get the shape and thickness right. In front of a wall hung with colorful agals, this craftsman sits still on a traditional floor cushion with his threads and a conical wooden form. He works with quiet mastery, away from the noise of the market.

Photo by Abdulrazak Almezzy