spots in the Bomfobiri wildlife sanctuary and waterfalls where the Kumawu ancestors are believed to reside. These sacrifices are performed to inform the ancestors of the festival to be commemorated and more significantly to beckon for their spiritual guidance, assistance and presence for a successful festival observance. After the pacification and propitiatory rites to the ancestors are performed, a contest of bravery is held at the chief's palace or at any designated area where the festival durbar is held. A big cow is slaughtered. The dead cow is placed in an open arena where the festival durbar is being held amidst thousand of Kumawu residents, people from neighbouring Ashanti towns and villages as well as visitors. A path is created that leads to where the slaughtered cow lies where courageous individuals are made to cut a piece of the animal and run with it to a designated spot amidst several beatings from the crowd holding whips. If an individual is able to cut a part of the slaughtered cow and is able to send it to the designated spot despite the beatings, he is judged as courageous and brave. He takes possession of the cut cow meat and is awarded by the Kumawu chief. Other contests such as food contests, dancing and singing competitions, beauty pageant as well as environmental cleansing and tree planting activities are carried out during the festival commemoration. References Cultural festivals in Ghana