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The Dega are a group of peoples that live in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The Dega were known as Montagnards by French colonial authorities, a term meaning “mountain dwellers.” The Dega are divided into sub-groups, including the Jarai, Rhade, Bahnar, and Koho. They are culturally and linguistically distinct from the majority Kinh (Vietnamese) population. The Dega have a long history of conflict with and discrimination at the hands of the Vietnamese majority.