The Omaha      (click to find pictures and other information about the Omaha)    The Omaha lived in villages along the Missouri River in Eastern Nebraska.  They spoke the Degiha Siouan language. In 1780 there were between 1,200 and 2,800 Omaha Indians.  After an outbreak of smallpox in 1802, there were only about 300 Omaha people left. Since that time their numbers have grown and now many live on the reservation in northeast Nebraska. In 1990 there were over 4,000 Omaha living in the United States.      The Omaha lived in large round "Earth Lodges" in the winter and "tepees" in the summer when they were on hunts.  The lodges were dug partly into the ground.  They were made of thick tall logs put into the ground. Smaller tree branches were then woven in to make the sides and top.  These were covered with thick layers of mud.  A hole was put in the center to let in light and let smoke out from a center fire place.  Most Omaha Native-Americans now live in frame houses just like everyone else.      In 1865 the Omaha tribe sold part of their reservation to the Winnebago Indians.  Now both groups live in northeast Nebraska. Back