Atlas silk is the distinctive woven textile of Central Asia — shimmering fabric with blurred, flame-like patterns created by tying and dyeing the threads before weaving, a technique called ikat. The bazaars of Dushanbe sell both genuine hand-woven atlas and cheaper machine-made imitations; the hand-woven fabric has an irregular texture and richer, more varied coloring.
The best places to find authentic atlas and other traditional Tajik textiles are the dedicated fabric sections of the Barakat bazaar and specialized craft shops near the central area. Prices vary enormously depending on whether you're buying from a craft tourist shop or directly from market stalls. A good piece of atlas fabric makes one of the best souvenirs from Central Asia.