I always read in Chinese history about how the Manchus forced the subjugated Han people to adopt their hairstyle as a means of snuffing out their culture and thus their resistance to Manchu rule, though what's never explained is why the Manchus themselves have such a haircut in the first place. And its been bugging me for years.
The same question arises when I see Japanese period dramas that feature Samurai warriors with a near bald top, again I find no explanation for it.
I notice this phenomenon in many of the nomadic or warrior-like cultures in history (including the Mongols), but never could I find the proper reason for why they went for such a haircut.
(A physics teacher once jokingly told our class that since these guys always rode on horses, having a bald head probably makes them more aerodynamic and thus travel much faster, allowing them to conquer more. )
Good question. It's often called a queue and I'd like to add that it was also worn by North and Central American natives, and I think by many Pacific Islanders as well. So I'm also very interested in hearing about an explanation.
I always read in Chinese history about how the Manchus forced the subjugated Han people to adopt their hairstyle as a means of snuffing out their culture and thus their resistance to Manchu rule
It wasn't a means to snuff out Chinese culture, but rather a sign of subservience to the Manchu Qing dynasty.