Mi gyaun

Mi gyaun (crocodile), wooden *tube zither of Burma and Assam, carved to represent a crocodile, with its tail serving as pegbox. The instr. is lacquered and set on a lacquered stand; 3 metal strings are held by lateral pegs; they pass over 8–11 raised, movable frets placed on the flat belly. The player's left hand depresses the strings while the right hand plucks them with a plectrum. Ca. 110 cm. (43 in.) long. Also called mingas, patola. Cf. chakhe, takhe (138, 172). Sort…