While Dendi is the primary language and ethnic group in Djougou,[3] there are also a number of Fulani (Peul in French), Yoruba, Bariba, as well as transplanted Fon from the South.
People are quicker to identify where they live not by the name of their neighborhood, but by which main road it lies on or by a nearby landmark or mosque.
Cell phone communication is very consistent in Djougou, and all major carriers have service in the area pretty much all of the time.
Instances of theft are rarely solved by the police, but are instead resolved by community pressure or occasionally physical, public retribution.
There is a lake bordering Djougou on the southern side, but community members do not fetch water directly from it and access has been recently restricted after the drowning of child playing near the dam in 2009.
There is both natural and plastic trash in Djougou—both of which people usually dump by the side of the road or into large areas of tall grass.
On a daily basis in the market one can find grains, salt, bread, sugar, fish, wagasi, eggs, tomatoes, onions, peppers, meat, lettuce, soy cheese, dried pasta, tomato paste, garlic, oil, cabbage, oranges, citrons, bananas, plantains, and, seasonally, pineapples and avocados.
Wagasi which local made cheese out of fresh cow milk is the region delicacy and one should always try to eat it before leaving.
In addition to the open market, there are also several boutiques where one can find more expensive items like jelly, butter, spices, cookies, coffee, powdered milk, Lipton tea, wine, and liquor.
These boutiques also sell toiletry items such as toilet paper, facial tissues, soap, razors, and toothpaste.
People generally eat three meals a day—two of rice and beans (watchi) with wagasi or pate/akassa, and one of yam pilée.
People spend their money on food, supplies, household items, and gasoline for their cars and motos.
There is no concept of business competition and 'shopping around' to get the best price, even though people will bargain extensively with their local tailor or carpenter.
There is a major sports stadium in Djougou where football games, cultural events, and concerts are held.
There is a Maison de Jeunes in the center of town, with a big screen TV that shows football games throughout the day.
This venue also hosts other events and presentations and there is a well ventilated and attended cyber caféwith relatively reliable internet connection for 400 francs.
Most recreational activities are geared toward men and boys, with women expected to be helping out with household chores during their free time.
Women spend a lot of their free time multi-tasking, making yam pile or selling a good at the marché while gossiping simultaneously or listening to music on their cell phones.
There are also several private facilities run by and midwives which perform births and do maternal and child healthcare specifically.
Both the public health centers and private hospital keep regular hours, and supplies are generally available when needed.
Mosquito nets are available at the health centers for children under 5 and pregnant women, and can also be purchased at a subsidized price from the pharmacy and other local vendors.
The health centers are much busier during malaria season—patient loads can more than double during this time, and one can see men and young adults at the clinic as well.
These gueriseurs give out powders and prayers in their homes for headaches and other simple maladies and they do not have any formal training.
For small issues, it is often easier, cheaper, and more familiar than going to the health care center centre de santé and does not appear to cause any problems or restrict utilization of western medicine when time and money allow.