found this on e-pray. billed as a south african root ball zulu knobkerry, it has a tail! i suspect the origin may be a bit further north.
i may also be wrong, and frequently am.
appears to be a short lanyard made from a strip of animal hide lashed on with string and tar to the end of the shaft. the ball end is darkened and has a few cracks & fissures like a root ball.
listing details:
Measures approx 43 cm long (top of head to tip of strap) x 5 cm wide (max)
Total unpacked weight approx 90 grams
(1 queried the weight before the auction ended, vendor said it was a typo & is really 900 grams (2 lb. - we shall see the actual weight when it arrives.)