Kenema's central market is a large, chaotic, and thoroughly worthwhile place to spend an hour. It trades in produce, dried fish, palm oil, clothing, hardware, and almost anything else the surrounding region produces. The Mende-speaking traders from the interior bring forest products including bush meat, palm nuts, and herbal medicines.
The diamond trade that once dominated the town is now more regulated and less visible, but the market's energy reflects Kenema's position as the commercial hub of eastern Sierra Leone. The best time to visit is morning, when the produce stalls are fully stocked and the light is manageable.