Who Is Handala? The Meaning Behind the Palestinian Symbol

Handala (حنظلة), also spelled Handhala or Hanthala, is a cartoon character created in 1969 by the Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali. He is a barefoot ten-year-old refugee boy, drawn with his back to the viewer and his hands clasped behind him.

Why is Handala ten years old?

Naji al-Ali was about ten when his family was forced from their village in Palestine in 1948. He said Handala would stay ten, and would not grow up, until he could return home.

Why does Handala turn his back?

Handala's turned back is a refusal to accept the injustice around him. He watches events rather than taking part, and he has become a witness for Palestinian refugees everywhere.

What does the name mean?

The name comes from the handal, a bitter desert plant with deep roots that grows back even when it is cut, a symbol of bitterness and resilience.

What does Handala symbolise today?

Naji al-Ali was killed in London in 1987, but Handala lives on. He is one of the best-known symbols of Palestinian identity, steadfastness and the right of return, and he appears in art, murals, jewellery and embroidery around the world.

Handala in tatreez

Our artisans hand-embroider Handala on t-shirts, hoodies, hats, keffiyehs and denim jackets, sometimes alongside his family, the olive tree or the map of Palestine. Shop handmade Handala pieces from Tatreez Banatna.