The Mohican Haircut is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as [məʊˈhiːkən ˈhɛəkʌt]. The first part of the word, "Mohican", is pronounced with a long "o" sound (similar to "oh") followed by a stressed "ee" sound, and ending with a neutral "uh" sound. The second part of the word, "Haircut", is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by a stressed "er" sound, and ending with a neutral "uh" sound. This type of haircut also goes by the name "mohawk".
The Mohican haircut, also known as a Mohawk or Mohican hairstyle, is a distinctive, avant-garde hairstyle characterized by a strip of long, upright hair running from the forehead to the nape of the neck, while the sides and back of the head are typically shaved or closely cropped. Named after the indigenous Mohican tribe, who were renowned for their fearless and bold nature, this haircut exemplifies a rebellious, non-conformist style that has become a symbol of counterculture and individuality.
The Mohican haircut gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s within the punk subculture, where it was embraced as a way to reject societal norms and express one's anti-establishment stance. It has since transcended those subcultural roots and entered mainstream fashion, often associated with edginess and a daring persona.
The creation of a Mohican haircut involves shaving or trimming the sides and back, leaving behind a central strip of hair that is usually styled to stand upright through the use of hairstyling products, such as gel or hairspray. Enhanced variations of the Mohican may involve intricate patterns shaved into the sides or different lengths and styles on the central strip.
While the Mohican haircut remains closely tied to its punk origins, it has also been adapted and reimagined in various ways around the world, resulting in versions that incorporate braids, colorful dyes, or different lengths of hair on the central strip. Overall, the Mohican haircut continues to serve as a statement of individualism and fearless self-expression in the realm of hairstyling.
The etymology of the term "Mohican haircut" can be traced back to the Mohican tribe, also known as the Mohicans. The Mohicans were a Native American tribe belonging to the Algonquian language group. They originally inhabited the northeastern regions of the United States, primarily in areas that are now part of New York and Massachusetts.
During the 18th century, European colonizers encountered the Mohican tribe and began referring to them as "Mohicans". Over time, the term "Mohican" became popularized in Western culture, and the tribe became well-known, particularly through the influence of James Fenimore Cooper's novel, "The Last of the Mohicans", published in 1826.
The association between the "Mohican" name and a distinctive haircut emerged much later.