Nepal
Nepalese – Sunuwar Kiranti people

Brass, iron
20th century
Idiophones – Idiophones Plucked – Rod or Frame

The murcunga (murcang, murchunga, machinga) is a traditional mouth harp of Nepal, in particular the Sunuwar Kiranti people. This all metal murcunga has a lyre shaped frame made of brass while the tongue/lamello is made of iron. The use of  difference metal materials is known as heteroglot. This murcunga displays an eagle at the top of the frame and the name ‘NEPAL’ on the backside of the frame.  When played the  left hand holds the eagle end while the open end of the murcunga frame is held in the performer’s mouth (between the teeth).  The right hand then plucks the extended tongue/lamello.