Omaja facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Omaja
Village
Ruins of the original Methodist church of Omaja
Omaja Location in Cuba
Country	Cuba
Province	Las Tunas
Municipality	Majibacoa
Founded	1905
Elevation	90 m (300 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	6,150
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
Area code(s)	+53-31

Omaja is a small village and consejo popular (which is like a local council area) in the municipality of Majibacoa, Cuba. It is located in the eastern part of the Las Tunas area. Omaja is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Holguín and 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Las Tunas city.

The Story of Omaja

How Omaja Began

The land where Omaja now stands was sold by a person named Lico López to an American named D. E. Kerr and his group. This group wanted to settle and develop the land. The town of Omaja was started by American Methodists, a type of Christian church.

In 1905, the Americans who settled there quickly began building a town. They designed it with an architectural style similar to the American west. The streets were even named after the men who bought the land, such as Kreider, Frankbert, and Blasser.

Unlike most other towns in Cuba, Omaja does not have a Roman Catholic church. This is because it has remained a small, Methodist town since it was founded. However, in the past, a small number of Catholics lived there. They would have a monthly church service with a priest who traveled from another town.

Early Communities and Challenges

Between 1906 and 1909, a unique community called Ponnistus existed just outside Omaja. This was a Finnish Utopian community. It was started by Oscar Norring, a merchant sailor, and William Keskinen. Most of the people in this community were Finnish-American loggers, miners, and craftspeople. Norring had worked for a fruit company, and he dreamed of the community growing citrus fruits. However, they faced challenges like a lack of water and poor connections to the railroad, which made their efforts difficult.

The Railroad and Naming the Town

Between 1909 and 1910, a section of the Central Railroad was completed. When the train station opened, the town was first named Majibacoa. But then, a new sign appeared overnight with the name "Omaha." This name was a reference to a Native American tribe. The local Cubans did not like this change. After several discussions and changes, the name Omaja finally stuck.

Omaja's Growth and Changes

A census in 1919 showed that Omaja had 2,381 residents. The town had many businesses, including:

• 13 different types of trades
• Three hotels
• A phone center
• A silent cinema (movie theater)
• Two bakeries
• Two cemeteries (one for Cubans and one for Americans)
• A Ford car agency
• Two sawmills
• A shop for cabinetmakers

In 1920, political problems between different groups and a banking crisis caused Omaja's growth to slow down. The plans for further development by the American settlers came to an end.

Later, in 1928, the construction of the Central Highway began to affect Omaja. Many of its residents moved to other towns like Las Parras, Gastón, and Buenaventura. They moved to be closer to the new highway, which caused Omaja to decline for a while.

See also

In Spanish: Omaja para niños