What is this tool, and what could its purpose be?

While sorting through an old trunk in my grandmother’s attic, I found an unusual item—a wooden club-like object about a meter in length, with one end thicker than the other.

Initially, I thought it might be a baton or perhaps some type of instrument, but its purpose wasn’t clear. Curious, I asked my friends for their thoughts. One guessed it was a self-defense tool, while another thought it might be an old-fashioned toy. Unsure, I turned to the internet for more information.After some research, I found a similar item called a “knobkerrie,” a wooden club historically used by tribes in Southern and Eastern Africa.

This club served both as a weapon and as a symbol of authority. The British even adopted a version of it, referring to it as a “trench baton” during colonial times.

Discovering this made me appreciate the cultural significance of such a simple object. Holding it now, I feel connected to the traditions and history it represents, sparking my curiosity to learn more about diverse cultures and their customs.