Chabani are a mounted militia armed with bows. Practically useless in a melee, they can nevertheless darken the skies with arrows.
When need be, any Cuman male can and does become a warrior. The poor Chabani go to war on their little, sturdy steppe horses armed with hunting bows . Hand to hand engagements should be avoided with these untrained soldiers - better to pepper enemies from afar with arrows.