When seen in isolation, this object could reasonably appear to be a rattle of some kind. In fact the head is solid and an uncarved stick has been inserted into the head as a handle. When turned, it presents two faces, rather like a Greek mask : one happy, one angry.

Given its dual nature, happy and sad, one of an infinite choice of possibilites for its use is that it might be a Shamanic talisman or tool which presented the face appropropriate to a patient's condition depending on the outcome of a session with the Shaman acting as tribal doctor.