Oseledets or chub (чуб ) is a traditional Ukrainian hairstyle that features a long lock of hair sprouting from the top or the front of an otherwise closely shaven head (similar to a modern Mohawk). Most commonly it is associated with the Ukrainian cossacks.

History

A closely related haircut, czupryna, was worn by the Wends of early medieval Poland, and later by the Szlachta from the 12th until the 18th century. During the 16th and 17th century, the Cossacks of Ukraine shaved their heads, leaving a long central strip which was often braided or tied in a topknot. The oseledets underwent a revival among romantics and nationalists during the early 20th century. After independence, the oseledets made a comeback among modern Ukrainians. It was seen during the Euromaidan protests of 2014. The Ukrainian name for this type of haircut is oseledets (, literally "herring") or chub (, meaning "crest"). There are several Ukrainian surnames derived from this word. The oseledets/khokhol is a standard feature in the stereotypical image of a Ukrainian Cossack. This haircut is depicted in various motion pictures such as The Lost Letter that is based on works of Nikolai Gogol.

Khokhol

Historically, Ukrainians used the term khokhol amongst themselves as a form of ethnic self-identification to visibly separate themselves from Russians. A Russian name for the oseledets hairstyle, khokhol (хохол) is commonly used as an ethnic slur for a Ukrainian male (feminine form: ), as it was a common haircut of Ukrainian Cossacks. The term is usually derogatory or condescending. The word comes from Proto-Slavic xoxolъ < *koxolъ, lit. 'crest, tuft'. Accordingly, Khokhliandiya (Russian: Хохляндия, Хохландия) and Khokhlostan (Russian: Хохлостан) are derogatory references to Ukraine.

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