Vintage African spill holders?

Hi all,
Anybody got any information on these unusual possibly African spill holders? Very light wood, pots maybe nut shells?

If you know likely origin, age, and purpose that would help.

Thanks.

 

Btw, in each pot is a small upright sharp spike, still wooden I think.

 

From the costumes, I believe the carvings are depicting Turkana elders (East Africa). Not quite sure what they are doing, though. They are most likely tourist carvings - with no specific "purpose". I doubt they held anything burning, what with the flammable feathers, string, and so forth.

 

True about the flammable side of things unless decor added later. The slightly odd thing is the spikes in the pots that suggest it had a use as they add nothing decoratively.

Just wonder if the thread coming out of the mouth is a clue, maybe pots could hold a thread spindle?

 

The little pots look like they might be made of gourds. There is a natural raised bit in the center of a gourd, which might be emphasized by the method used to clean it out. I can't tell, though, without being able to see it. I was thinking the string might represent a drinking straw. The Turkana (and the nearby Maasai, who dress similarly) are herding people, and do drink cow's milk (and sometimes blood), collecting it in gourds. But I could not find evidence of them using some sort of straw.
How big are these figures?

 

They are quite small, one about 7" the other about 6"

Here is a close up of inside pot showing spike.

 

Perhaps the pegs were used to hold the other end of the string in place. I really don't think these figures have anything to do with thread for any purpose. Sorry, I don't have any more insights.
Perhaps @Taupou has seen such things?

 

Thanks for all your help, I will continue looking around and you've given me lots to go on.