Met to redesign European tribal object (5,4)

I believe the answer is:

totem pole

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'tribal object' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'met to redesign european' is the wordplay.
'redesign' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'european' becomes 'pole' (someone from Poland).
'met'+'to'='metto'
'metto' with letters rearranged gives 'totem'.
'totem'+'pole'='TOTEM-POLE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for totem pole that I've seen before include "Symbol revered by native Americans" , "(Am. Ind.) ritual pillar" , "Native American tribal symbol" , "clan emblem" , "Am. Indian symbolic erection" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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