[Ian]

The subject of this post is a Montagnard crossbow. The Montagnard comprise numerous upland tribal groups and are found in Laos, Central Vietnam and Cambodia. The lowland Vietnamese referred to them as moi, a derogatory term for "savages." The crossbow was used mainly for hunting small animals and birds.

Many of the daab used by the Montagnard have hilts that are unusually long (sometimes equaling the length of the blade). The example worn by the owner of the crossbow in the original post here is not of this type and reflects, I think, Chinese influence from Yunnan (as noted already). The baggy trousers worn by this hunter are also more in line with Chinese wear than the traditional Montagnard loin cloth, as seen in the picture posted later in this thread by Ren Ren.

Ian.