What IS this thing? African?

I’m completely perplexed about what this item might be. It’s carved from a single piece of dark wood, is hollow, has one big hole and one smaller hole at its big end and a bunch of small holes at the “head” end. It also has a ring on the side of the big end, as if it was intended for a cord to pass through. I’m sure this object is quite old, and it looks African to me, but as to its purpose I have no clue! I thought maybe some kind of smoking pipe or incense burner but it shows no signs of scorching and has no particular smell about it. If anyone recognizes this item, please let me know what it is. Thanks!

 

ummm, it's familiar ....but.....?

 

Some kind of whistle or flute?

 

I tried blowing into it, but nothing happened. Of course, I could have been doing it wrong!

 

I had the same feeling. I know I have seen it before, but...

 

knobkerrie?

 

Hmmm, does sort of look like one, but being hollow, it's very light. That and its small size seem to me to make it unlikely to be a weapon.

 

I think it's missing a stopper at the bulbous end....
What do church folk use to sprinkle holy water ???

 

It's probably a fly-whisk missing the swishers.

 

that's possible but a third of the holes are pointing downwards.....so....i'm not there yet...

 

in fact...i'm not thinking fly whisk at all...

 

Well I am, in fact I'd bet on it.

here's a few others:

 

i'll take that bet...........