Bible Encyclopedias
Nanga

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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the most primitive form of the ancient Egyptian harp. The nanga consisted of a boat-shaped or vaulted body of wood, the back of which was divided down the centre by a sound bar built into the back; on this bar was fixed a cylindrical stick round which one end of the strings was wound, the soundboard or parchment being stretched over the back without interfering with the stick. The other end of the strings was fastened to pegs set in the side of a curved neck, so that the strings did not lie directly over the soundboard. There were but 3 or 4 strings, one note only being obtained from each. Some of these nangas are to be seen at the British Museum.