The court and the calendar

The Effutu deer-hunting festival: two Asafo companies race to catch a live antelope to present to the chief.

When: May, usually the first weekend. Where: Winneba (Cape Coast & Elmina). (to verify)

Elmina's festival marking the opening of the fishing season, with a regatta on the Benya lagoon.

When: July, on a Tuesday. Where: Elmina (Cape Coast & Elmina). (to verify)

Commemoration of the abolition of slavery and a pan-African arts festival, with ceremonies at the castles and the ancestral river.

When: Late July to early August; Panafest is held in some years only. Where: Cape Coast and Assin Manso (Cape Coast & Elmina). (to verify)

Street art, performance and music fill the lanes of Jamestown for several days.

When: August. Where: Jamestown, Accra (Accra). (to verify)

The Ga harvest festival, 'hooting at hunger', with processions and the sprinkling of kpokpoi.

When: August to September. Where: Accra and Ga towns (Accra). (to verify)

Cape Coast's great festival, with a durbar of chiefs and a carnival procession through the town.

When: Early September, usually the first Saturday. Where: Cape Coast (Cape Coast & Elmina). (to verify)

A festival of purification and remembrance of the ancestors, with a durbar of chiefs.

When: September or October. Where: Akropong and the Akuapem towns (Akuapem Ridge & Krobo). (to verify)

The Krobo harvest festival, with dancing, beads and a grand durbar.

When: October. Where: Krobo towns (Akuapem Ridge & Krobo). (to verify)

The Anlo Ewe festival recalling the migration from Notsie, with a grand durbar on the coast.

When: First Saturday of November. Where: Anloga, near Keta (Ada & the Volta estuary). (to verify)

Torches carried through the night at the new year (Bugum), and the Damba festival with horsemen and smocks.

When: Dates follow the Islamic calendar and move each year. Where: Tamale and Dagbon (Tamale & the Northern Region). (to verify)