Handala: The Barefoot Boy Who Became Palestine’s Witness
A barefoot boy, ten years old, hands clasped behind his back, face turned away. Handala is one of the most recognized figures in Palestinian art — and one of the most misunderstood by newcomers to the movement.
Where he comes from
Cartoonist Naji al-Ali created Handala in 1969 as a witness: a refugee child who will not show his face or grow up until Palestinians can return home. Al-Ali drew him into nearly every cartoon he published until his assassination in 1987 — and Handala kept watching.
Why he faces away
The turned back is the whole point. Handala refuses to face a world that looked away first. His clasped hands reject easy solutions offered from outside. He is patient, stubborn, and permanently ten years old — the age al-Ali was when he left Palestine.
Wearing Handala today
On apparel, Handala reads as a promise kept across generations. He appears alongside the watermelon and olive tree across our tees and hoodies — see the full collection for every design that carries him.
Wearing him well
Know the story before someone asks — that is the only rule. Handala rewards the wearer who can say who he is.
FAQ
+Who is Handala?
Handala is a barefoot 10-year-old boy created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali in 1969, always drawn with his back turned.
+Why does Handala turn his back?
Naji al-Ali said Handala turns his back in rejection of injustice, and will only show his face when Palestinians can return home.
+What does Handala represent today?
He represents Palestinian refugees, steadfastness and the refusal to forget.
