Country Map

Updated: 10/12/17.
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Source: The Mountain People of Southern Indochina Before 1945.

Restoration of Dega Autonomy During French Colonization

On May 27, 1946, the Montagnard Country (Dega Country) was officially recognized by France when an ordinance was signed by Mr. D'Argenlieu, a representative of the French Federal Government in Indochina. This ordinance restored autonomy to the Dega nations and states under one unified country called Pays Montagnard Du Sud or Montagnard Country of South Indochina.

The Border of Dega Territory

  • To the North, limited by the 17th parallel.
  • To the East, limited by the annamitic Ridge ( Chaine Annamitique ).
  • To the South, limited by the Cochin China borders.
  • To the West, limited by the Laotian and Cambodian borders.  

Terms for Dega Country/Territory

  • Pays Montagnard Du Sud Indochina (PMSI) or Montagnard Country of South Indochina
  • Pays Mois (a derogatory term translating to "savage country")
  • Montagnard Country or Dega Country
  • Central Highlands
  • Central Vietnam
  • South Indochina
  • Central plateau
  • Hinterland
  • Mountain region
  • Tay Nguyen
  • Southeast Asian massif
  • Annam
  • Cochin-china

Dega Nations Before French Colonization

For thousands of years our ancient ancestors lived on the coastal and plains region of present day central and south Vietnam. The Dega people lived independently as separate tribal nations. Cham and Vietnamese invasions forced the Dega people west. Most Dega nations successfully resettled in the Central Highlands region. Other Dega nations resettled on the lowlands that border the Central Highlands. For centuries the Dega nations lived in relative peace until French occupation in the mid-1800s.

Largest Dega tribal nations:

These nations were powerful tribes with large territories and defined organization beyond the village level.
  • Bahnar
  • Jarai
  • Ede (Rhade)
  • M'Nong
  • Koho
Source: Typhoon Magazine. October 1969.

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