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.
