Montagnard (Vietnam)

Montagnard (/ˌmɒn.tənˈjɑːrd/, MON-tən-YARD) is an umbrella term for the various indigenous peoples of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The French term Montagnard ([mɔ̃.ta.ɲaʁ] ^ⓘ) signifies a mountain dweller, and is a carryover from the French colonial period in Vietnam. In Vietnamese, they are known as người Thượng (lit. 'highlanders'), although this term can also be applied to other minority ethnic groups in Vietnam. In modern Vietnam, both terms are archaic, and indigenous ethnic groups are referred to as đồng bào Tây Nguyên (lit. 'Central Highlands compatriots') or dân tộc thiểu số Tây Nguyên (lit. 'Central Highlands minorities'). Earlier they were referred to pejoratively as mọi. Sometimes the term Degar (Đềga) is used for the group as well. Most of those living in the United States refer to themselves as Montagnards, while those living in Vietnam refer to themselves by their individual ethnic group.

The Montagnards are most covered in English-language scholarship for their participation in the Vietnam War, when they were heavily recruited by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and its American and Australian allies. Today, the Montagnards tend to be Christian in a higher proportion than the Kinh Vietnamese, while the North Vietnamese government is often perceived as advancing a heavily centralized state that persecutes Montagnard local priorities and religious practices.