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In todays society when you see someone who chooses to wear a Mohawk hairstyle what comes to mind? Many people think, "Oh god look at those punks," or even better "They must be devil worshipers." Which is all quiet vague and ignorant in description of how the Mohawk actually came to be.
Mohawk, also known as a "Mowie" in the U.K. was not first seen on the Mahican Indians. The Mohawk was actually first seen being worn by the Wyandot Indians whom French mistook as the Mohawk tribe. A traditional Mohawk is seen with both sides of the head shaved leaving a long strip of hair vertically down the center of the scalp. The Mohawk was not originally meant to send out any misleading information but to show power and intimidate enemies.

In fact, a new archaeological dig discovered a Clonycavan man in Dublin,Ireland found wearing a Mohawk that had been held up with plant oil and pine resin. Scientists date the body back to 2,300 years ago! In the 18th century even the king of France King Louis XV's mistress was recorded to have imitated the Mohawk hairstyle. She was responsible for introducing it to many high society women throughout the region.
So many may ask, what brought the Mohawk to the U.S.? It is documented and proven that the 101 Allied Airborne Division in World War II shaved their heads into Mohawks to help with the wind resistance when jumping out of their aircraft. In mainstream The Plasmatics all received a Mohawk haircut on January 16, 1981. Which in turn influenced Mr. T a well known member of the A-Team to sport a Mohawk as well.
Many punk rockers you could call them and or Goths adopted the Mohawk on in the 1980's and the Mohawk quickly changed from its main purpose. Punks began to not only wear the Mohawk as a symbol of their carefree lifestyle. In fact many people began to dye their Mohawk many different colors; Some to include pinks, greens, and yellows. In the 1980's the Mohawk represented diversity and the ever changing teen, that would not allow society to conform their lives.
Today a Mohawk is no longer only associated with aggression and the punk culture. In fact the Mohawk is also worn for fashion. Society has taken the Mohawk and made more socially acceptable hairstyles from it. Such hairstyles to include the Fauxhawk, Dreadhawk,and Reverse Mohawk. The whole rebellious attitude with the Mohawk is now a thing of the past. Which only leaves one to think what will society think of next?

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