Montagnard (Vietnam)

Montagnard (Vietnam)

The French term Montagnard, meaning "People from the mountain(s)" refers to an indigenous people group generally from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It includes individuals from multiple tribal groups, including the Bahnar, Jarai, Koho, Hmong and E De (or Rhade) peoples. Many Montagnards immigrated to the US states of North Carolina and South Carolina in the late 1970s after the Vietnam War. Many Montagnards that currently reside in North and South Carolina are Christians and teach Christianity to their people in their language. Each tribe has a different language.

Before the Vietnam War, the population of the Central Highlands, estimated at between 3 and 3.5 million, was almost exclusively Degar. Today, the population is approximately 4 million, of whom about 1 million are Degars. The 30 or so Degar tribes in the Central Highlands comprise more than six different ethnic groups who speak languages drawn primarily from the Malayo-Polynesian, Tai, and Mon-Khmer language families. The main tribes, in order of population, are the Jarai, E De, Bahnar, Koho, Mnong and Stieng.

Besides those in Vietnam, the French also called many of the indigenous peoples of Cambodia Montagnards as well. These latter peoples are now known as Khmer Loeu.