— At its peak, the mafia numbered less than five thousand people. And yet this tiny, insignificant part of society casts such a shadow over twenty million honest American workers...

— Dad, at this stage of cultural development, films about bandits are classics of American cinema. Like Westerns.

- That's right, Rich. You know, I've never heard the Scots or Irish whine about being portrayed as thieves and bandits.

t/s "The Sopranos"

Nowadays, the word “mafia” mainly refers to groups that originated in Italy and then spread their influence to America. Thanks to unity, common goals and dubious methods, a handful of emigrants were able to get their hands on big business, and with the help of cinema - to become famous.

It can be difficult to distinguish reality from myth, but we will try.

Etymology

The most famous legend about the origin of the concept of “mafia” refers to the uprising of the Sicilians against the Angevin dynasty. In 1268, Sicily and Naples became the possessions of Charles of Anjou, brother of King Louis IX of France (he led the seventh and eighth Crusades). The Neapolitans did not resist the new government too much, but the Sicilians were not happy with the guests, their behavior, and even more so with the transfer of the capital from Palermo to Naples.

Something like this was “Sici-
Liya Vespers." Almost.

On March 30, 1282, the sadness of the Italian people resulted in the “Sicilian Vespers” - that same uprising. According to legend, as soon as the bell rang for Vespers, people went on the attack under the slogan “ Morte Alla Francia, Italia Anela"("Death to France, sigh, Italy"). All the French on the island were killed, and the word M.A.F.I.A. came into use (the first letters of the slogan). There is another legend from the same place: during the massacre, a woman lost her daughter, wandered between the bodies and desperately called: “ Ma fia! ("My daughter!").

A beautiful myth, but modern historians agree that it has little to do with reality. According to another version, “mafia” comes from the same root word “mafiusedda” (Italian “beautiful”, “magnificent”). According to the third, from the title of Giuseppe Rizzotto’s play I mafiusi di la Vicaria. This production was popular in Palermo in the sixties of the nineteenth century. There is one inconsistency associated with it: the Italian folklorist and ethnologist Giuseppe Pitre grew up in Palermo in the forties and said that the term was already in use then. It may have meant "refuge", as Mario Puzo suggests in his novel The Sicilian.

This is interesting: By the word “mafia”, scientists, and members of criminal gangs, mean the Sicilian criminal world itself. It is also called “Cosa Nostra”, which means “Our Cause”.

Another one of the mafia names is also interesting. Until the forties of the last century, the Sicilian mafia was popularly called “friends of friends” - the power of the mafia was built on an extensive network of connections, but most importantly, all business in this network was conducted through intermediaries. We will return to this key point in the existence of the mafia.

From the origins

Most scholars (including John Dickey, author of the best-selling book Cosa Nostra: The History of the Sicilian Mafia) believe that organized crime in Italy began in the nineteenth century, during the Bourbon period. Then the mafia not only existed, but also developed in several directions - in Naples and Sicily. However, the prerequisites for this existed much earlier - in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when he sat on the Holy See Alexander VI, aka Rodrigo Borgia.

Having started his career from the very bottom of the dignitary, Borgia quickly became a cardinal, and in 1492 he was crowned in St. Peter's Cathedral under the name of Alexander VI. The new pope was rumored to be famous for his ability to make poisons, for which he received the nickname “Satan’s apothecary.” He and his two children - Lucrezia and Cesare - were accused of many poisonings for profit. It is known that the Borgias actually inherited substantial fortunes, but there is no direct evidence of their guilt.

Alexander VI, aka Rodrigo Borgia, head of the Borgia clan. God's deputy on earth, but he looks like a merchant...

Cesare Borgia was distinguished by extreme cruelty. He was unfortunately narrow-shouldered, and so he developed an inferiority complex.

It is a myth: Among the accusations brought against Rodrigo Borgia by contemporaries and even historians, there are some very funny ones. Thus, there is an opinion that he carried a needle smeared with arsenic on his keychain. He secretly stabbed his opponents with it, and they instantly died without even having time to scream.

However, Rodrigo Borgia, Lucrezia and Cesare, as well as their brother Giofre, launched extensive criminal activities. During the reign of Alexander VI, bribery, threats and murder were actively practiced. So, the day after the disappearance of Count Gandia (a region in Italy), he was caught in the Tiber. Everything pointed to Cesare Borgia, but no one could prove anything.

The sweet family ruled the fate of Italy until 1503, when father and son were poisoned. Cesare made it out, but dad wasn't so lucky. Even the family's guardian angel, Don Michelotto, did not help. Rodrigo Borgia's nephew grew up in Valencia under the name Miguel de Corello. Since childhood, he realized that it is necessary to help not only the weak, but also the family. First of all, family.

When he was sixteen years old, robbers broke into the house and tried to take away the chest in which the boy’s mother hid precious icons. He blocked the bandits' path and was stabbed in the face with a knife, but did not budge. Frightened by the lynching of the crowd, the robbers ran away, only to return a couple of days later. It turned out that they were afraid for a reason. Miguel convinced the residents to set a trap, and from then on he began to be called Don Michelotto(“Punishing sword”), to whom they went for advice and help.

It is a myth: events in the village became overgrown with rumors. Legend has it that during the second attack, young Miguel personally captured the leader of the gang, and the next day he was found hanged from a branch.

Don Michelotto became the personal servant and bodyguard of Cesare Borgia. The figure of de Corello is surrounded by many legends - for example, about how he killed two people at once with one string. He is accused of the murder of the "Lion of Rimini" Gaspare Malatesta and Alfonso of Aragon, the second husband of Lucrezia Borgia, as well as many other contract killings. Miguel de Corello is somewhat similar to Luca Brasi from “The Godfather” - he went down in history as a silent professional killer who solved insoluble problems. If we look at the classic structure of the mafia, he is a typical capo, while Alexander VI is a don and Cesare is a henchman.

Career ladder

Every serious organization has a hierarchical ladder. The manager reports to the director, who - to CEO... The mafia in this sense is not too different from an ordinary company. The descending hierarchy looks like this.

The director of “Gomorrah” managed to create more than believable
similar images of criminals.

Godfather, the don is the boss of the family. He is aware of everything that is happening, regularly receives information about all members of the organization and their affairs. He himself participates in almost nothing except important meetings and negotiations. Elected by vote of the caporegime, or the “office” is inherited. He never gives orders directly, and few people know him by sight.

Underboss- the don’s deputy, whom he chooses independently. Usually directs the actions of all capos. Often - a son or close relative of the godfather. In the event of the death or arrest of the leader, he takes over all matters himself.

Consigliere- Advisor to the boss, faithfully and devotedly serving the family. He gives valuable advice, his opinion is sought before major decisions are made. The consigliere helps resolve disputes and often relays orders to the godfather. Can represent him at official meetings. Usually he has a completely legal income, being a lawyer, broker, etc.

Caporegime- A capo, or captain of a team of soldiers, runs one or more types of businesses in a particular area. Every month he sends his godfather a share of the profits, and is responsible for the actions of his charges and for their performance of various operations.

Soldier- a junior member of the group, recently introduced into it on the recommendation of one or more captains. Many sit in this position for years, but previously they died quite quickly due to constant wars between families. Roughly speaking, soldiers - consumables.

Associate- a person who has proven his loyalty and usefulness to the family, but is not yet ready to join it or does not have the right to do so (not an Italian, for example). This could be a bribed official or police officer, or an intermediary during the sale of weapons or drugs.

Once upon a time in Sicily

Sicily is one of the most picturesque places on the planet.

And how could this a beautiful city, Naples, to hide so many violent criminals?

As the years passed, they began to forget about Alexander VI, caring more about pressing problems. In the nineteenth century, such a problem was the power of the Bourbons in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, as well as the French occupation of Naples by Marshal Murat and then Napoleon. Placing Spanish monarchs and French military leaders over the Italians was a bad idea. Many robbers appeared among the locals (especially in small villages), who robbed the rich and shared the loot with their fellow villagers. Bandits were respected and often helped solve problems, be it an empty wallet or a quarrel with a powerful enemy. Over time, influential gangs formed “families”, which, however, did not support the monarchy, but sympathized with anarchy and separatism. They invested in everything that was profitable: they bought politicians and new connections, organized raids on warehouses and barracks, traded in weapons and citrus fruits.

Mario Puzo is the man who created The Godfather and brought the world some poignant and gripping stories about the mafia.

This book was a death sentence for its author. But it opened the world’s eyes to the activities of the mafia in Naples.

Here we will leave our Sicilian “friends” for a while and switch to the Neapolitans, who were also not sitting still. Local groups quickly adapted to the monarchy, became friends with the government and supplied the Bourbons with executioners and spies, receiving many privileges in return. Camorra- the Naples mafia - became the most powerful and dangerous force in Europe, which, fortunately, had no place either in the USA or in other parts of the world. Looking ahead, the majority of Italians these days are opposed to the Camorra and even voted for the deployment of armed forces to Naples to stop the excesses of the gangsters.

This is interesting: In 2006, the novel “Gomorrah” was published, written by Neapolitan journalist and writer Roberto Saviano. The book describes in detail the crimes of the mafia, their methods, means and goals. The groups were so impressed by the writer’s skill that they immediately handed down a death sentence to the author, because of which he was forced to spend all his time under guard. A year later, a film of the same name was shot, and in 2009, an unpleasant surprise awaited members of the Camorra: three leaders of the organization were arrested.

But let's return to the Sicilians. As soon as the export of citrus fruits to the United States began, America opened its gates to many criminals. The small ones sought a promising life or followed the bosses, the large ones were going to establish contacts and increase their capital. The Great Depression and the war years became the most profitable in the history of the mafia: they made money on everything that was valuable - booze, drugs, weapons... More and more Sicilian mafiosi came to America, trying to avoid problems in their native lands - during the Second World War II Italy intensified its fight against the criminal world.

Mafia in Fascist Italy

Coming to power Mussolini took on the mafia. Not so much in order to abolish crime, but to eradicate any power other than their own.

According to one version, it was like this. Two years after the introduction of fascism in Italy, Mussolini went to Sicily. Responsible for security Cesare Mori, prefect of Palermo, and since the dictator did not warn about the trip in advance, Mori did not have time to take care of the police. He turned to Don Francesco Cuccia with a request to sit in the car next to Mussolini and accompany him everywhere. Don Cuccia was the leader of the mafia in Piana de Gray, and his patronage made a person untouchable. The godfather patted Mussolini on the shoulder in a friendly manner and declared that he did not need protection, since he was the master here, Don Cuccia, and not a single hair would fall from the head of the Duce (Italian “leader”) while they were around. The dictator considered this an insult and soon ordered Cesare Mori to lead the fight against the mafia. One of the first to be arrested was Don Cuccia, who came to Mussolini to receive a reward for escorting him, but ended up in prison instead.

Lucky Luciano - the boss of all bosses in Cosa Nostra - winks at you from the photo. It's an honor, gentlemen!

According to another version, Mussolini wanted to rise in the eyes of the people, and declaring war on the mafia meant much more than making trains arrive on time.

One way or another, a series of arrests followed. Cesare Mori publicly stated that his people torture gangsters by passing electricity through their bodies. According to some reports, Mori made eleven thousand arrests, for which he received the nickname “Iron Prefect.” He came across, however, small fry - it was dangerous to attempt to assassinate the bosses. In addition, many fled to America. Quite suddenly, at the peak of his fame, Mori was sent to a remote province. De jure, the fascist regime rejoiced; de facto, “friends of friends” won.

In 1943, he showed up in Mussolini's office Vito Genovese(fourteen years later he would lead the Genovese family, one of the five most influential clans in New York). He assured that he fully supported the fascist regime, and, to prove his loyalty, he organized the murder of the Italian journalist Carlo Tresca, who “slandered” Mussolini in an anti-fascist publication. Since then, the Duce has not given the mafia any offense, and Vito Genovese has flourished. Did he really support fascism? It’s unlikely, I just did and said what was profitable.

That same year, Genovese was joined in Sicily by Charles Luciano, better known as Lucky Luciano(English: “Lucky Luciano”). In 1936, the “boss of all bosses,” who was Luciano, was sentenced to thirty years in prison, but the US government, knowing about his connections in the underworld, offered a deal: to supply weapons to the “partisans” so that they would help overthrow fascism. By partisans they meant, of course, gangsters. Luciano agreed and provided all possible assistance, thereby earning a pardon on the condition that he would not return to the States.

We have already told you about what happened in the process - about the rise and fall of Al Capone, about the war between Italian groups and Irish ones in Chicago and New York. All this was discussed in the material “Gangsters of the Prohibition Era,” which you will find in the April 2008 issue or. Now is the time to talk about the post-war period, about the “Five Families” and about the laws of the mafia.

Omerta and rite of passage

Giovanni Brusca doesn’t exactly inspire fear, but I don’t want to argue with him at all. For no reason.

In fact, the mafia has only one law - Omerta, an unwritten code of honor. His main principle— mutual responsibility and silence. Betrayal is punishable by death, not only of a member of the organization, but also of all his relatives.

During the initiation ceremony, omerta plays an important role - the new member of Cosa Nostra swears to remain silent and not to leave the organization. It looks like this: at the official reception, the newcomer is taken to an office in which several high-ranking family members are sitting. On the table are a pistol, a dagger and an image of a saint. Despite the fact that everyone present knows everything about the “entrant”, they ask to identify themselves and tell a short version of the biography, in which Special attention devoted to a life of crime. After this, the most influential of them gets up, places an icon in the hands of the new member, pierces his finger with blood, which flows onto the face, and then sets the latter on fire. While the painting is burning in the hands of the “chosen one,” he is told: “ If you betray Cosa Nostra, your skin will burn just like this saint».

This version of the dedication took place in 1976 Giovanni Brusca, one of the most brutal mafiosos of his time. At the trial, he found it difficult to name the exact number of people he killed, saying - approximately from one hundred to two hundred people.

But Brusca is only a small fry compared to the real dons and the “Five Families” - the five largest and most influential Italian-American clans in New York. They not only manage the affairs of the Big Apple, but also manage the activities of the mafia throughout the United States. Here are their names: Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, Colombo and Lucchese.

The entire quintet forms the Commission, a structure created to control the activities of the clans and make important decisions. If we are talking about the interests of several families at once, no one has the right to make a decision without asking the opinions of others. The punishment is death. Or at least war.

Bonanno family

The first godfather of the organization was Joseph Bonanno (Banana Joe). He was the youngest in Cosa Nostra - only twenty-six years old - and the most savvy. He invited families to take up gambling, racketeering and usury at a new, higher level. They agreed, and the Bonannos became the most important clan. But when it came to drugs, Joseph refused - he didn’t want to get his hands dirty.

Just think, this man served as the prototype for the famous Don Corleone!

Nobody, however, decided to attack him, and for good reason - Bonanno was known as one of the smartest and most cunning bosses (it was he who became the prototype for Don Vito Corleone). At a certain point, he reconsidered his views on life and decided to retire without informing anyone about it. The war within the family did not take long, and throughout the sixties and seventies one boss replaced another every few years, if not more often.

Even with the arrival of the permanent don, Rastelli, nothing changed - there were three renegades in the family. With the consent of the other bosses, they were removed, but the troubles did not end there: someone named Donnie Brasco. The aging Benjamin Ruggerio, nicknamed “Lefty,” brought him in and made him his right hand, entrusting him with serious matters. He had no idea that he had found a snake - police officer Joe Pistone. Rastelli and Rogero received long sentences, and Massino became the new godfather. He managed to increase the family's income, but, having been caught red-handed, he became the first boss-informant in history.

Many family members were imprisoned, even the next leader, Vincent Basciano (Handsome). However, his duties were transferred to a reliable person, capo and acting don - Salvatore Montagna.

Gambino family

The first boss of the clan was one of the Camorra members, but the family gained its greatest fame and power in the fifties and seventies with the advent of Carlo Gambino. He is still considered the best mafia boss since Lucky Luciano. Carlo was not afraid of anyone except the feds, and almost openly planned contract killings. He set up racketeering, usury and gambling, and also engaged in fraud in the labor market and stock exchanges.

Even during his arrest, “Dapper Don” John Gotti manages to pose. Well
for the circus?!

Gambino's greatest achievement is his “part-time job” as an eminence grise. By hook or by crook, he achieved influence over the remaining four families. No one allowed themselves to challenge Don Carlo’s decisions - many owed him, if not money, then a favor. And he took advantage of this until he died in 1971 from a simple heart attack. A rare occurrence in the criminal world.

The next famous boss was John Gotti. Your nickname "Dapper Don" he got it deservedly: a fan of expensive suits and silk ties, Gotti adored the press, often appeared in newspapers and magazines and did not mind the fact that his house was regularly shown on TV.

This irritated many people, especially the FBI. The Bureau tried to convict John three times, but all three times he got away with it. Confident of his impunity, Gotti lost his vigilance, and at this time the feds wiretapped the apartment where the gangsters were gathering. In the recording, “Teflon Don” was already indignant at his stupid assistants and shared his plans for the future with his interlocutor. This was enough to give him a life sentence. These days, the Gambino clan still remains one of the strongest, but its authority is falling every year.

People's Mafia

As soon as the term “mafia” became popular, it began to be used in relation to all national groups. The Georgian mafia, the Jewish mafia - each has its own characteristics. And, of course, Russian. For many, it is identified with lawlessness, although the word itself, even in the criminal world, means abuse of power, nothing more.

The most ancient and organized mafia clans live in the East - their rules are much more serious than those of their colleagues.

The Chinese groups are called triads. Initially, these were secret societies with similar beliefs and rituals, belief in the mystical meaning of the number “three” (hence the name). They are believed to have originated on the island of Taiwan after Ming Dynasty supporters fled from the mainland. During and after the peasant war with the Qin dynasty and the colonialists (Taiping Rebellion), the influence of the triads grew significantly: they supported the “father of the nation” Sun Yat-sen, a Chinese revolutionary who sought to end imperial power and create a full-fledged republic. In those years, secret societies were not exactly encouraged, but practically no obstacles were put in their way. The most famous group of that time was the Green Gang, which provided the government with its militants for the so-called “Shanghai Massacre”: the massacre of communists in Shanghai.

The Japanese mafia is known as yakuza. She is so influential that she was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most significant criminal phenomenon in the world. Yakuza members, unlike members of triads, do not even try to hide, standing out from the crowd with expensive suits, luxury cars and emblems of the clan to which they belong. Gang headquarters are usually located in the city center on upper floors skyscrapers, decorated with neon signs and lots of lights. The government is firmly opposed to the yakuza, but the police prefer to stay away and not get into trouble again. Why argue with people in charge of drug trafficking, prostitution, racketeering, human trafficking and weapons?

This is interesting: The word “yakuza” itself translates to “worthless.” It comes from Japanese card game oyte-kabu, which is in many ways similar to Italian baccarat. The point of it is to score as many points as possible. The card values ​​are added, and the last digit of the resulting number is the final result. The worst combination is eight, nine and three (they add up to twenty, meaning the player has zero points). In Japanese, the names of these cards sound like “ya”, “ku”, “sa”. This is where the word “yakuza” originated. However, it does not mean a loser, but the most patient and talented player - only such a one will be able to win with a fatal combination in his hands.

From the gateway to the screens

Thanks masterfully films made gangsters seem like nice guys to us - they know how to joke, love beautiful women, value honesty and decency. Sometimes you want to shed a few tears - the main characters are so touching.

Godfather

Real power cannot be given. It can only be taken.

Once upon time in America

(Once Upon a Time in America)

I haven't held a gun in my hands for many, many years. My eyes are not the same anymore, even with glasses. My hands are shaking... And I wouldn’t want to miss.

Once upon a time in America, four boys from the Italian ghetto met. They had a lot in common - ambition, self-confidence, the desire to become kings of the world. But they were bound by friendship, and friendship by an oath of allegiance, a promise to stand for each other until the very end. Sergio Leone managed to show a lot in four hours of the film - from how difficult it is not to drown in a sea of ​​blood and money and remain human, to true friendship. The hallmark of the film was the music of Ennio Morricone. This is interesting: when The Godfather was just in the plans, Sergio Leone was offered to direct it. He refused in favor of Once Upon a Time in America, despite lengthy persuasion. Then he regretted his answer for a very long time, which he did not hesitate to talk about in an interview.

The Usual Suspects / Suspicious Persons

(The Usual Suspects)

The greatest trick of the devil is that he convinced the world of his unreality.

“Usually, if there is a crime, there is a motive. Usually, if an identification parade is held, there is at least one suspect. But this was no ordinary crime,” these are the words heard in the trailer for “The Usual Suspects.” Indeed, when the most famous and dangerous criminal The world gathers a team of five strangers to raid a ship containing precious stones worth a total of ninety-one million dollars - this is not the most ordinary situation. When twenty-seven people are killed, when all five are in the police, but there is no evidence against them, this is also not often seen. But what prevents them from speaking? Just a name - Kaiser Susi. At these sounds, fear creeps through everyone.

Casino

The desert around Vegas is very dark at night. Therefore, most urban problems were solved there. There is a hole at every step, and in each of them lies a problem.

Good guys

- What are you doing?

- Construction.

“Your hands are not like the hands of a builder.”

- I'm from the trade union.

Face with a scar

In my life I have never knocked over anyone who didn’t ask for it. It's clear? All I have in this life is my grip and my word. But I am responsible for these two things.

Many are eager to search for " American dream" In the eighties, these “many” were Cuban refugees. Thousands of emigrants rushed in pursuit of happiness and wealth, but only one of them achieved what he dreamed of - a million-dollar fortune, fame and the love of beautiful women. Tony Montana sailed to Miami with empty pockets, but with self-confidence, composure and anger at the whole world. The world has never known a bigger scumbag than Tony Montana. This is interesting: The film was initially rated "for adults". It’s not surprising - the word “fuck” is heard two hundred and eight times in the film, and forty-two corpses appear on the screen. And if they were just lying around, then no, there is the widespread use of saws, and the most brutal shootouts with all the details...

The Untouchables

Never stop fighting till the fight is done.

Gangs of New York

(Gangs of New York)

That evening the reformers held a dance. It was in the spirit of Five Streets: gallows in the morning, dancing in the evening.

Prophet

The main thing is to leave here a little smarter than you were.

Malik is nineteen. He is not literate and has no friends or family. He received six years in prison for assaulting a police officer and is counting only on himself. There the Corsican mafia takes on him, demanding that the informer be killed on pain of a shameful and cruel death. Later, the ghost of the murdered man will settle in Malik’s head and help him cope with the difficult life behind barbed wire. He is illiterate, but not stupid. Soon he finds friends among the Arabs, gains the trust of both groups and begins his game. Become a godfather to survive. It’s not so easy to cope with this at nineteen years old - the Cannes Film Festival gave the film the Grand Prix for its unique realism, atmosphere of hopelessness and fear, deep meaning and brilliantly depicted criminal life.

The Sopranos

Tony is not like other fathers. Tony is a mob boss.

The brainchild of HBO has no analogues; the series “The Sopranos” is the best that could be made about the Italian-American mafia. Over the eight years of broadcast (1999-2007), viewers went through a lot side by side with the main characters - from racketeering, extortion, blackmail, murder and betrayal to family problems and regular meetings with a psychotherapist. This is exactly where it all began: the boss of one of the “families” of New Jersey, Tony Soprano, brought himself to such a state that the help of a shrink became an urgent need. However, according to the laws of the mafia, sessions are strictly prohibited, because a gangster can burst into tears into the doctor’s vest and inadvertently blurt out too much. One such meeting could very well kill you, no matter who you are - the six or the godfather.

The series received public recognition and many awards. In addition, “The Sopranos” soon turned into an excellent brand: the shelves of children's stores were decorated with cars with the main characters, and in 2006 even a game of the same name was released. Mediocre and gray, it did not catch on on the Sony PlayStation 2, but sold out a good amount of copies.

This is interesting: There are a lot of allusions to The Godfather in The Sopranos. Tony's wife's name is the same as Vito Corleone's wife - Carmella. Paulie's car has a horn that plays the famous lyrical theme, and if someone is about to die or is the victim of an assassination attempt, orange juice flashes in the frame (Coppola played oranges as the angel of death). Finally, in the final episode of the sixth season, the entire Soprano family is dining at a restaurant while the camera zooms in on young man, quickly going to the toilet. Like in The Godfather, where young Michael Corleone walked into the booth for a hidden pistol to take revenge on his father’s offenders...

Gangsters of our monitors

Kingpin is the first serious action film about organized crime.

Considering the number of film masterpieces about the mafia, it is not surprising that guys in bowler hats and double-breasted jackets have made their way into the gaming industry. The first successful incarnation of the underworld - Kingpin: Life of Crime(1999). A gloomy, bloody action film about the transformation of an ordinary recidivist parasite into a godfather - a relatively true and vital story for the thirties. A big, cruel city, an ambitious guy, some economic and social background (buying weapons, hiring a team, planning crimes, the attitude of subordinates and competitors towards the main character) - why not a trendsetter of the genre?

Around the same time, the famous Grand Theft Auto(1997), then still - with a view from above, without clear goals, but with a huge world and possibilities. Steal, kill, beat people, earn points for villainy - a find, not a game. But only by the third part the flower of evil began to bloom: along with a clear plot, charming characters appeared, most of them working with the mafia in one way or another. Cosa Nostra from Vice City is much tougher and more authoritative than modern African Americans from San Andreas, who are in charge of the sale of stolen goods, robberies, thefts and drug trafficking. Well, no one can compare with the Russians and Italians of Liberty City - it’s as if they are about to step off the screen to explain how to steal diamonds correctly.

Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven(2002) appeared much later than the first parts of GTA and at first was perceived exclusively as a clone, but this quickly passed. Virtual New York was seriously addictive, and the story of Tommy Angelo, a simple taxi driver forced to collaborate with the mafia, turned out to be no worse than classic dramas about gangsters. A certain freedom, a wonderful plot, unexpected twists, deep characters, a stunning atmosphere and criminal romance - Mafia has become the standard for the quality of games about the criminal world. That is why so much hope was placed on the second part.

This already happened a few years ago. First with The Godfather And The Scarface, and then with The Godfather II. But if everything is clear with the first two - the developers cruelly abused the masterpieces of cinema - then the third was received with hostility in vain. It turned out to be an interesting action movie with good economic system. It didn't shine with its plot, but it was seriously addictive.

There is still a lull on the horizon for mafia games. Maybe there are too many of them. Maybe the creators are afraid of embarrassing themselves by failing to beat the latest additions to GTA IV and Mafia II. It seems that we won’t wait for a black horse - we can only rely on old, proven comrades from 2K and Rockstar.

However, in our time there is a place for honor and nobility. In 2007, one of the most famous modern godfathers, Salvatore Lo Piccolo, was detained. At the same time, the Sicilian police reached one of his safe houses, where, among other important documents, the Ten Commandments were hidden. It’s hard to say whether this is a real set of laws or just Salvatore’s thoughts about a real man and a mafioso. The list is in front of you:

No one can introduce themselves to our friend. There must be a mediator.

Never look at our friends' wives.

Never hang out with the police.

Don't go to pubs and clubs.

You are always at Cosa Nostra's disposal - even if your wife is about to give birth.

Meetings cannot be missed.

Wives should be treated with respect.

If you are asked for information, tell the truth.

You cannot embezzle money that belongs to others or other families.

People who should not join Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone who is unfaithful in a marriage, anyone whose behavior is not acceptable or moral.

20.09.2014 0 12826

The Mafia is a criminal community that originally formed in Sicily in the second half of the 19th century and extended its activities to big cities USA and other countries. It is an association (“family”) of criminal groups that have general organization, structure and code of conduct (omerta). Each group works in a specific area.

IN last decades The word “mafia,” used inappropriately, has become commonplace. It came to Russian and many other languages ​​from Italy, but even there, in its ancestral home, there are no unambiguous explanations for the origin of the word and the phenomenon it denotes; there are only different assumptions on this score. However, the etymology of the word is not as important as the essence of the mafia itself. How should we feel about this organization? Is it really that scary and were there really “glorious pages” in its rich history that one can rightfully be proud of?

INDUSTRY OF VIOLENCE

The adjective mafiusu may be derived from the Arabic mahyas, meaning "boasting, boasting". According to sociologist Diego Gambeta, in 19th-century Sicily the term mafiusu had two meanings when referring to people: “arrogant bully” and “fearless, proud.” In general, there are many options for deciphering this term. The word “mafia” directly in relation to criminal groups was first voiced in 1843 in Gaetano Mosca’s comedy “Mafiosi from Vicaria Prison”.

And 20 years later, Antonio Guapterio, the prefect of Palermo, used it officially for the first time: in a report to the government, he wrote: “The so-called mafia, that is, criminal associations, has become bolder.” Leopoldo Francetti, who traveled to Sicily and wrote one of the first serious works on the mafia in 1876, described it as an “industry of violence.”

He wrote: “The term “mafia” implies a class of brutal criminals who, in view of the role they play in the life of Sicilian society, claim a special name for themselves, other than simply the vulgar “criminals”, as in other countries.”

Subsequently, the term “mafia” was also used to refer to any ethnic criminal groups, partly copying the structure of the classical Sicilian mafia (for example, the Mexican, Japanese, Caucasian, Russian, etc. mafia). In its homeland, Sicily, the mafia has its own name: Cosa Nostra. But there is no complete identity here: Cosa Nostra is always a mafia, but not every mafia is Cosa Nostra. In Italy, the USA or Japan, the Camorra, 'Ndrangheta, Sacra, Unita, Yakuza and other national mafias operate.

GENTLEMEN OR ROBBERS?

The notorious code of conduct for the mafia, written, according to legend, by one of the “godfathers” of Cosa Nostra, Salvatore Piccolo, consists of 10 commandments. Here are some:

1. No one can come up and introduce themselves to one of our friends. He must be introduced by another friend of ours.

2. Never look at your friends' wives.

3. Your duty is to always be at the disposal of the “family”, even if your wife gives birth.

4. Show up for your appointments on time.

5. Treat your wives with respect...etc. d.

Agree - it’s quite suitable as the rules of conduct for a decent gentleman. The commandments of the mafia are by no means advisory in nature; their strict observance is vigilantly monitored by the head of the clan (“family”), Don.

Perhaps, based on this, and also thanks to the efforts of the authors of Hollywood action films, a stable image of a typical mafioso has developed. Something like this:

He is always dressed in an expensive black suit with white stripes, a wide-brimmed felt borsalino hat on his head, and black patent leather shoes on his feet;

Clean-shaven or wears a short, foppish mustache;

A long raincoat, under which one can guess a Tommy gun or a pair of Colts;

He drives exclusively a Cadillac, the engine of which never turns off when stopped.

FROM RAGS TO RICHES AND BACK

Over its almost two-century history, the world mafia has shown the world a whole galaxy of dons who have gained wide fame. The first name that comes to mind when mentioning the mafia is the legendary Al Capone, or Big Al. He was born in 1899 in Naples, in the family of a hairdresser. As a boy, he and his family went to America, like many poor Sicilian families of those years. They settled in Brooklyn, New York.

The family was poor, barely making ends meet. Soon Capone found himself in the ranks of a youth gang. Thanks to his powerful build, he was very useful in the endless showdowns of street gangs that traded in robberies and robberies. Al Capone, who had reached adulthood, was noticed by New York mafia boss Frank Ayale, who a couple of years later handed the 21-year-old guy over to his criminal colleague, Chicago mafia boss Johnny Torrio.

The one in Chicago had serious problems with one of the rival clans. Torrio needed a man who could gain a reputation in Chicago for lawlessness and who would be feared not only by local residents, but also by the enemies of Torrio’s group. Al Capone went to Chicago with his new boss. That’s where Big Al was born, terrifying not only local residents with his strength and incredible cruelty, but also rival gangsters. He soon displaced his boss, becoming the de facto king of the underworld of Chicago, and perhaps all of America.

It got to the point that the US President called Capone “public enemy No. 1.” There were many murders hanging on it, but none of them could be proven - there were no witnesses. Then in 1931, Al Capone was arrested and sentenced to 11 years in prison, a $50,000 fine and confiscation of property for tax evasion.

After five years spent in the impregnable Alcatraz prison on the island of the same name in San Francisco Bay, Capone developed chronic syphilis and began to have mental problems. Moreover, in a clash with other prisoners, he received knife wound. In 1939, Al Capone was released helpless and sick. By this time, his yesterday's cronies had already seized power in Chicago. Abandoned by everyone, he died in 1947 as a result of a stroke.

But Big Al is just one of many famous godfathers of Cosa Nostra. No less popular in his time was Vito Cascio Ferro, usually called Don Vito. This impeccably dressed, stately man with aristocratic manners perfected the hierarchical system of the mafia. He also introduced the concept of u pizzu - the right to trade, which is received from the mafia (of course, for free) by non-members of the clan. Don Vito gave the mafia an international dimension by going to New York in 1901 and establishing connections with local mafiosi.

At the same time, he was so active that after Vito returned to Sicily, an anti-mafia fighter, New York policeman Joe Petrosino, arrived here. However, he was immediately shot dead in one of the city squares of Palermo. Suspicion fell on Don Vito, but one of the deputies of the Sicilian parliament at the trial swore by Saint Mary that at the time of the murder the accused was at his dinner.

And yet, in 1927, Cesare Mori, nicknamed the Iron Prefect, managed to put Don Vito behind bars for a long time. When Sicily came under aerial bombardment before the Allied invasion in 1943, the prison was immediately evacuated. By a strange accident, everyone except Vito was evacuated, which was later attributed to extreme haste. The famous mafia leader died a week later in his cell from exhaustion.

BENEFITS ABOVE EVERYTHING

But the Italian mafia did not only rob and engage in racketeering. She also happened to take part in historical events. On May 4, 1860, an uprising broke out against the king in Sicily, under the rule of the head of the so-called Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The mafia, already a serious force, refrained from participating for the time being, waiting to see where the scales would tip.

It is unknown what the fate of both Sicily and the mafia would have been if not for Giuseppe Garibaldi, who, at the head of a detachment of “red shirts,” landed on the island. The rebels, and now the mafiosi, joined him and, through joint efforts, overthrew Francis of Bourbon, who ruled the island, and brought the people's hero of Italy to power. However, the mafia understood that any strong government would hinder its activities. Therefore, occupying leadership positions, the mafiosi forced Garibaldi to leave the island and created all the conditions for their subsequent hegemony not only in Sicily, but also in other regions of Italy.

ENEMY NUMBER ONE

In the entire history of the Italian mafia, there was only one person who managed to seriously rein it in and at the same time remain alive. And this man was Benito Mussolini. In 1922, after the famous “March on Rome,” Mussolini came to power. A fascist regime was established in the country. A year later, Mussolini decided to visit Sicily. He was accompanied by the same Iron Prefect Cesare Mori.

Arriving on the island and seeing the number of guards ensuring his safety, the Duce quickly realized the seriousness of the situation that had developed on the mafia fiefdom. At that time, power here actually belonged to a certain Don Ciccio, who made a big mistake by turning familiarly to Mussolini. Soon the poor fellow ended up in prison. It is obvious that the mafia, being a strong and organized structure, was dangerous for the young fascist state.

Mussolini could not at that time allow the presence of another force of any kind in the country. As a result of the drastic measures taken, some of the mafiosi were shot, and the surviving bosses sat underground. Only Vito Genovese (aka Don Vitone) managed to ingratiate himself with the Duce by supplying drugs to his son-in-law, Count Galeazzo Ciano.

But when Vito realized that the fascists would not be in power for long, he immediately went over to the side of the American troops that had invaded the country, becoming a translator for a US Army colonel. And yet he ended his days in prison - a very common end to a career for a man of his line of work.

As a result of the persecution of the mafia during fascism, the flow of mafiosi to the USA sharply increased, where many Sicilians settled already at the end of the 19th century, so the newcomers had something to cling to.

WINNERS ARE NOT JUDGED?

The year was 1943. Second World War in full swing. Having successfully completed the defeat of the German-Italian troops in North Africa, the Western Allies were preparing to invade Europe. After analyzing the situation, Sicily was chosen as a springboard for further advancement deeper into the continent. The joint operation of British and American troops, codenamed “Husky,” was prepared in the strictest secrecy in order to ensure the effect of surprise.

Meanwhile, on the territory of the United States itself, the “fifth column” was at work, in every possible way sabotaging the shipment of military supplies to Europe. Back in February 1942, the transatlantic liner Normandy was set on fire. The sabotage was attributed to immigrants sympathetic to the Hitler regime - dockworkers of Italian origin working in the port of New York. Counterintelligence, knowing who the true owner was in the port, turned for help to Joe Lanza, a well-known racketeer of the port docks, demanding that he restore order to his household.

He, in turn, hinted that he could carry out an anti-sabotage operation only together with his boss, Charlie Luciano (aka Lucky Luciano), who was at that time serving a 50-year sentence in an American prison. The Knights of the Cloak and Dagger had no choice but to agree.

Making a deal with one of the leaders of the underworld, they hoped to pay off only by transferring Luciano to a more comfortable prison and no longer resort to his help. As soon as the mafia took over, everything fell into place. The spies were caught, the perpetrators were punished, and sabotage was stopped. Everyone was happy.

But soon the Americans again had to bow to the leaders of the underworld. To successfully carry out the Sicilian operation with minimal losses, the Allies required accurate topographical data of the area and the support of the local population. Well, who, if not Sicilian immigrants, could provide such information. And who, if not the mafia bosses, could influence the local residents. The lucky one was made an offer that he could not refuse. This deal radically changed both the course of further events in Europe and the fate of Luciano himself.

With his help, connections were instantly established with the Sicilian dons, for whom the news of the upcoming overthrow of Mussolini became a balm for the soul. They involved all the dedicated people in the cause. The most accurate topographical maps of the area where the Allied forces were to land were drawn, and a network of spies was established.

Even the ruler of all of Sicily, Calogero Vizzini - Don Calo, as he was called - took part in the matter. On June 14, 1943, on the 5th day after the successful landing of the Allies, an American plane appeared in the sky over the town of Villalba, which is located near Palermo, with a huge letter L inscribed on both sides.

She was clearly visible to all residents of the city. A package was thrown out of the plane. The people who unwrapped it found a scarf with an embroidered letter L, exactly the same as on the plane. It was a sign. A sign that Lucky Luciano sends greetings to his fellow countrymen and tells them that the time has come to act. Thus began the liberation of Sicily from the Nazis and at the same time the revival of the mafia.

In May 1945, a special New York State commission for special merits released Lucky early from prison and deported him to Italy, the country of the resurgent mafia. There, this professional in his field, until the last days of his life, led the international criminal “Syndicate”, which by the 50s of the 20th century entangled the whole world with its threads. And Luciano himself, who lived safely until 1962, was solemnly buried as a national hero.

Anatoly BUROVTSEV, Konstantin RISHES

Is the mafia a gang, a group, or just a bunch of bandits? Let's try to figure out what exactly this word means.

The concept of “mafia” today refers to any ethnic criminal group, in structure and organization, reminiscent of the ancestor of such communities - the Sicilian criminal “family”, highly organized and having its own code of rules.

Where did this concept come from?

But the origin of the term is hotly debated. There are very original versions, for example the following: “Mafia” is an abbreviation for the words Morte Alla Francia, Italia Anela (“Death to all French; Italy, breathe freely!”) - a cry that was born during the uprising against the French in Sicily at the end 13th century.

According to Gabor Gellert, a journalist from Hungary who closely studied the topic (13 years of work on a book about the mafia), this word should be understood in a more global sense than an alliance of criminals. This is a socio-political-economic phenomenon, the emergence of which is natural in the world of capital. The meaning of the word “mafia” in the dictionaries in which it first appears (1868) is an action meaning insolence, boasting. Mafioso in the same dictionaries is a person who uses brutal violence, or poverty, scum.

There are also Arabic versions of the origin of the word "mafia". There are many consonant words with meanings: protection, refuge, security, chatterbox, gathering place. Alas, researchers have not yet gotten to the truth.

What does the mafia do?

Organized illegal activities are very diverse. Mafia crimes:

• Maintenance of dens.
• Arms trade.
• Drug trafficking.
• Making counterfeit money.
• Gambling, casino maintenance, gambling business.
• Pimping, content of porn sites.
• Buying stolen goods.
• Usury.
• Extortion, racketeering.
• Debt collection.
• Human trafficking, kidnapping.
• Contract killings.
• Smuggling, money laundering.

The sphere of interests of the largest and most influential groups is not limited to criminal activities. Their representatives are engaged in ordinary business (hotels, restaurants, etc.), lobbying, and politics.

Code of Practice

Any mafia, except perhaps the most low-grade ones, is a code of moral rules. For example, the code of honor of the Cosa Nostra organization included rules such as:

• Always be on time for your appointments.
• Do not look at the wives of friends (and a member who has family ties with a traitor or traitor was punished by expulsion from the gang).
• Don't go to bars and clubs.

Below we will look at examples of the most famous criminal communities. Let us immediately clarify that most of the information about such groups is hypotheses based on fragmentary and random information. It is clear that the leaders of such groups do not strive for widespread popularity.

Cosa Nostra

Many people who are familiar with the topic firsthand have a strong association: the mafia is Cosa Nostra. Let's try to figure out what these two words represent. The phrase “Cosa Nostra” in Sicilian means “our business”. This term became widespread and became associated with any Italian mafia or the mafia in general after the publication of the novel “The Godfather”.

Initially, Cosa Nostra was active in Sicily from the beginning of the 19th century. In one century, that is, by the beginning of the twentieth, it turned into an international organization. A little later it strengthened its position in America. It consists of 11 clans (families). It should be clearly distinguished: Cosa Nostra is a mafia of Sicilian origin, regardless of its modern geographical location.

Italian and Italian-American mafia

It makes sense to connect them, because the American mafia is mainly from Italy, or more precisely from Naples, Calabria, and Sicily. Today, the Italian mafia operates in at least 26 US cities.

Five families

An influential group within the American mafia. Its core consists of representatives of five families:

• Bonanno;
• Colombo;
• Gambino;
• Genovese;
• Lucchese.

Of these, the most numerous (although according to some sources it is inferior and influential is the Genovese family. Using its example, you can see what the Italian mafia is. The history of the family as a representative of the mafia began at the beginning of the 20th century.

Initially, it was an alliance of several small Sicilian street gangs that traded in extortion and bootlegging. Gradually the family expanded its activities, subjugating significant parts of the market. gambling, racketeering and usury. A fascinating multi-part film could be made about the changes in family leadership over the course of a millennium.

Groups

As mentioned above, the mafia is a highly organized union. Let's look at examples of groups that, in terms of the scope of their activities, are comparable to

• Camorra and 'Ndrangheta- these are the two largest groups of purely Italian mafia, without any admixture of “Americanism,” although both groups have an extensive network throughout the world. The core of the Camorra is located in Naples and its environs, the “head office” of the 'Ndrangheta is in Calabria. Both are extremely rich, influential, are among the ten richest mafia communities in the world, and consist of clans with powerful family and marriage ties.
• Bamboo Union. Area of ​​influence - Asia, Europe, America. This is the largest group in Asia, the main backbone is Taiwan. In addition to the fact that it is one of the richest criminal organizations in the world (the basis of its income is gambling, murder and debt collection), it stands out for its close ties to one of the main and influential parties in China (the Kuomintang), although these ties are actively denied.

• Tai Huen Chai, or the Triad. There is the least information about this group on the Russian Internet. The largest and most influential in China. The modern Triad is a huge underground criminal network about which little is known. Presumably the founder of this organization appeared before 200 BC under the name “Shadow of the Lotus” and traded in the slave trade and piracy.
• Tijuana cartel- one of the two oldest and most influential in Mexico. Considering that Mexico is a well-known transit point for the US drug market, it can be said that the Tijuana Cartel is one of the largest drug cartels in the world.
• Yamaguchi-gumi (yamaguchi-gumi)- Japanese mafia. This is not just one of the richest groups in the world. She is a leader in terms of income and number of active members(from 55 to 220 thousand).
• Sinaloa- a cartel operating in Mexico and Central America. The network covers some US cities. “Specialization” is drug sales. The organization is considered a leader in this segment of criminal activity. It has become famous for the particularly brutal nature of internal disputes; shocking footage of severed heads and enemies being dissolved in acid sometimes ends up on the Internet.

in Russia

It is believed that it appeared in the 60s of the last century, although in principle there cannot be a specific starting point. It is noteworthy that the words “Russian mafia” in the West can mean criminal groups not only from Russia, but from any country in the post-Soviet space.

The mafia of union significance began its activities with small criminal groups of Jews who left the USSR in the 70-90s of the 20th century. Today, it makes sense to distinguish between the Russian mafia (its representatives have Russian citizenship and operate on Russian territory) and the mafia with Soviet roots.

The most famous group is the Solntsevskaya Bratva. It is considered one of the most dangerous and cruel in the world. The leader, according to rumors, is Sergei Mikhailov, nicknamed Mikhas.

Famous mafiosi

A well-organized structure, be it a mafia, a group or an alliance, is impossible without the accumulating power of the leader. Of course, most current leaders are shadow leaders. Below we will look at the names that are well-known and have become legends.

• Al Capone is a well-known name, but it is worth noting that it has long and firmly entered history, because this man died back in 1947 at the age of 48. The boss of the Chicago mafia, famous for his ability to build a real criminal empire.
• Pablo Escobar- the most famous Colombian drug lord, one of the most prominent, if such a word can be applied to a criminal, figures in the criminal world of the 20th century. He not only made money through crimes, but also administered his own justice, which earned him the favor of the poor and young people.
• Kray Brothers- Twins from London, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, have been distinguished by their lack of control since childhood. With their fists, aggression and high business skills, they managed to build an entire empire, and managed to successfully combine both shadow and legal business.

• Mayer Lansky(Belarus) - one of the few figures in the criminal world who lived to the respectable age of 80 (died in 1983). Jew, originally from Tsarist Russia, for many years was one of the most authoritative people in the United States. Managed the largest shadow gambling syndicate. He became the prototype for the elderly Jewish mafioso Hyman Roth.
• Frank Costello- another outstanding one from the USA, but originally from Italy. Very for a long time was the head of the Genovese family and extremely successful in business. He gravitated towards bloodless types of criminal business, such as the illegal trade in alcohol and gambling. As a matter of principle, he was not involved in drug trafficking, believing that there were plenty of opportunities to make money without it. He also distinguished himself by actively establishing connections between the mafia and politics and succeeding in this more than any of the crime bosses.

Of course, these are not all well-known criminal communities. Suffice it to say that many of them have entered not only criminal history, but also the history of cinema, so remarkable is the activity of famous mafiosi from the point of view of analyzing human nature and the reasons for success, albeit in activities disapproved by the majority.

A little history of the mafia
Each business has its own development, and each development is determined by the people involved in this business, especially if it is “Our Business”. And the origins Italian mafia go back to the 9th century, when “Robin Hood” troops protected Sicilian peasants from the oppression and extortion of feudal lords, foreign raiders and pirates. The authorities did not help their poor, so they only called for help mafia and they also trusted in her. In return, a considerable bribe was paid, unspoken laws set forth by members of the “security” groups were carried out, but the poor were provided with guaranteed protection.

Why did crime families come to be called "mafia"
There are two versions origin of the word "mafia". According to the first, under the influence of the Arab flair (either military or trade relations Sicily with representatives of Arab countries), the root of the word means “shelter”, “protection”. According to the second version, suffering Sicily foreign invaders trampled far and wide and in 1282 an uprising took place, the motto of which became: “Death to France! Breathe, Italy!” (Morte alla Francia Italia Anelia). Anyway, mafia- a native Sicilian phenomenon, and identical criminal groups in other parts of Italy and the world were called differently, for example, “Ndraghetta” in Calabria, “Sacra Corona Unita” in Apulia, “Camorra” in Naples. But, “mafia” these days, like “jacuzzi”, “jeep” and “copier”, has become common nouns, so any criminal organization is called it.

How the mafia got into power
As an organization, the mafia crystallized only in the 19th century, when the peasants, who did not want to submit to the exploitative Bourbon regime that was ruling at that time, “blessed” mafia for political exploits. Thus, in 1861, the mafia officially assumed the status of the ruling force. Having made their way into the Italian parliament, they got a chance to influence the formation of the country's political and economic course, and the mafiosi themselves transformed into the so-called aristocracy.
Beginning in the 20th century, members of criminal organizations began to promote “their senators” to parliament and secretaries to city councils, for which they generously thanked them. The carefree “swimming in money” might have continued further if the fascists had not come to power. Head of Italy Benito Mussolini couldn't stand it mafia in power, and indiscriminately began to imprison thousands. The dictator's harshness naturally bore fruit, Italian mafiosi lay to the bottom.

In the 50-60s, the mafia regained its courage, and the Italian government had to begin an official fight against crime, creating a special body, the Antimafia.
And the mafiosi dressed in expensive suits of businessmen, building their working on the iceberg principle, where the official sporting goods network could be involved in the underground trade in drugs or weapons, prostitution, and “protection” for other businesses. But nothing has changed these days; this is still happening in some areas of Italy. Over time, some “businessmen” seriously developed their restaurant and hotel business and food production.
In the 80s, a fierce and bloody struggle began between criminal clans, where such a huge number of people were killed that most of the survivors prefer to work only in the field of legal business, maintaining omerta, “mutual responsibility”, and other signs of a valid mafia organization.
But the mafia has not left the scene to this day. In the south of Italy, 80% of companies pay bribes to their “roof”, just as it is impossible to open your own business without enlisting the support of local authorities. Carrying out “cleansing” operations, the Italian government regularly sends city, regional and national officials accused of collaborating with the mafia to prison from key positions.

How Italian mafiosi moved to America
Since 1872, as a result of extreme impoverishment, Sicilians, in search of a better life, emigrated to America in armies. And, lo and behold, the introduced “prohibition” worked to their advantage. They began selling illegal alcoholic beverages, having accumulated capital, they bought up enterprises in other fields of activity. Thus, in a short period of time, the money turnover of Sicilians in America began to exceed the turnover of the largest American corporations. The American mafia, originating from Sicily, is called "Cosa Nostra", which means "Our business". This name is also given to those who returned from America to their homeland. Sicilian crime family.

Structure of the Italian mafia
Boss or Godfather - the head of a family, a criminal clan. Information flows to him about all the affairs of his family and the plans of his enemies, and he is elected by voting.
Henchman or underboss- the first assistant to the boss or godfather. Appointed solely by the boss himself and is responsible for the actions of all caporegime.
Consigliere- the chief adviser of the clan, whom the boss completely trusts.
Caporegime or capo- the head of a “team” that works in a separate area controlled by a family-clan.
Soldier- a junior member of the clan who was recently “introduced” into the mafia. Soldiers are formed into teams of up to 10 people, led by capos.
Partner in crime- a person who has a certain status in mafia circles, but is not yet considered a family member. It can act, for example, as an intermediary in the sale of drugs.

Laws and traditions respected by the mafiosi
In 2007, the famous godfather Salvadore Lo Piccolo was arrested and found in possession of "Ten Commandments of Cosa Nostra", where the traditions and laws of the members of the mafiz clan are described.

Ten Commandments of Cosa Nostra
Each group “works” in a certain territory and other families do not interfere with their participation.
Beginner initiation ritual: they wound the finger and pour its blood on the icon. He takes the icon in his hand and they set it on fire. The beginner must endure the pain until the icon burns. At the same time, he says: “Let my flesh burn, like this saint, if I break the laws of the mafia.”
The family cannot include: police officers and those who have police officers among their relatives.
Family members respect their wives, do not cheat on them, and never look at the wives of their friends.
Omerta- mutual responsibility of all clan members. Joining the organization is for life, no one can leave the business. At the same time, the organization is responsible for each of its members; if someone has offended him, she and only she will administer justice.
For an insult, the offender must be killed.
Death of a family member- an insult that is washed away with blood. Bloody revenge for a loved one is called “vendetta.”
The kiss of death- a special signal given by mafia bosses or capos and meaning that this family member has become a traitor and must be killed.
Code of Silence- prohibition on disclosing the secrets of the organization.
Betrayal is punishable by the murder of the traitor and all his relatives.

Thinking about this topic, I come to the following conclusions:
Despite the countless treasures obtained, only poor people from the Italian southern coast dream of such a career development. After all, with a simple calculation, it turns out that it is not so profitable: members of a criminal group have to calculate the costs of protecting themselves and their families, paying bribes, constant confiscation of goods, and this at constant risk to their lives and all family members. For many decades, the whole secret mafia society system. Is it really worth it?

Svetlana Conobella, from Italy with love.

About konobella

Svetlana Konobella, writer, publicist and sommelier of the Italian Association (Associazione Italiana Sommelier). Cultivist and implementer of various ideas. What inspires: 1. Everything that goes beyond generally accepted ideas, but honoring traditions is not alien to me. 2. A moment of unity with the object of attention, for example, with the roar of a waterfall, a sunrise in the mountains, a glass of unique wine on the shore of a mountain lake, a fire burning in the forest, a starry sky. Who inspires: Those who create their world, complete bright colors, emotions and impressions. I live in Italy and love its rules, style, traditions, as well as know-how, but the Motherland and compatriots are forever in my heart. Editor of the portal www..

Everyone understands the word mafia in their own way. Some people remember many films and books about the mafia, others saw the mafia only in computer games. And only a few of us went into detail about the history of the mafia and mafia structures.

Mafia

Mafia (Italian maf(f)ja, Latin maffia) - (according to one version) this is a secret criminal community that appeared in Sicily at the end of the 19th century. In a broad sense, the mafia is an international, secret criminal organization engaged in illegal activities and operating through methods of blackmail, violence, murder, etc.

The mafia is characterized by:

Rigid hierarchy;
- use of force to maintain internal discipline and to fight competition;
- own system of values ​​and norms;
- connection with political and administrative corruption;
- the use of legal political and administrative institutions to cover and ensure illegal activities.

In a narrow sense, it is the name of an ethnic criminal community, uniting mainly people from southern Italy.

Initially, the mafia arose to organize self-defense of the population on the island of Sicily (Italy). The mafia opposed the rulers who had suppressed this country for many years and subjugated the peasants and shepherds with an iron hand. And the police served as an instrument of oppression at that time. The exhausted inhabitants of Sicily already then learned to keep their mouths shut and never show their emotions, and not to forget that society is the worst enemy. People have never sought justice from the government, and therefore have always turned to the people's intercessor - the mafia.

In the 20th century, the mafia established its control over the criminal business (smuggling, drug trafficking, prostitution, etc.), and began to interact with the political structures of society in Italy, and then in other countries. Distinctive feature The mafia is its connection with the remnants of tribal customs, which give the mafia special stability and internal cohesion. For example, omerta, the purpose of which was intimidation and psychological control over ordinary members of the mafia. Currently, the term "Mafia" is also used as a synonym for organized crime.

According to historian Paolo Passino, “The Mafia is an organized criminal community that exercises the functions of sovereignty in a certain territory.”

Many researchers saw the mafia as a series of characteristics introduced into popular culture, as a “way of existence.” The Sicilian ethnographer, Giuseppe Pitre, at the end of the 19th century, said the following about the mafia: “The Mafia is a consciousness of its own worth, an exaggerated concept of individual strength as the sole arbiter of every conflict, every clash of interests or ideas.”

The Sicilians did not see these people as criminals; on the contrary, the mafiosi were role models and the only defenders, provided that the state did not provide protection to its citizens. Often the mafia was the only alternative government. The funeral epitaph of the legendary Villalbo boss, Cologero Vizzini, stated already in the 1950s that "his mafia was not criminal, supported respect for the law, protection of rights, greatness of character." In this case, the word "mafia" meant something like pride, honor, or even social responsibility. Likewise, in 1925, former Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Emanuele Orlando declared in the Senate that he was proud to be a true "Mafioso" because the word "Mafioso" meant noble, generous.

The next version of the mafia story

The history of the mafia begins in Sicily, where in the 9th-10th centuries the mafia began as a voluntary militia to protect Sicilian fishermen and farmers from raids by Arab pirates. After the threat disappeared, the mafiosi began to live by blackmail and extortion. With weak state power, bandit clans penetrated into all spheres of life of the people of Italy. In the future, the mafia will control drug smuggling, the entertainment industry, and prostitution. Mafia bosses will have close ties to the police, judicial officials and powerful political circles throughout the country. The mafia spread abroad.

The word "Mafia" is an abbreviation of the slogan of the Sicilian uprising against the French feudal lords - "Morte Alla Francia, Italia Anela" (Death to France, sigh, Italy).

The mafia owes its unusual vitality to the law of silence “omerta”. No one dared to testify against the bandits, because this threatened immediate death not only for the person who spoke out, but also for his entire family. The law of blood feud "vendetta" became the key to the prosperity of the clan.

For reference

Now there are about two thousand thieves in law in the CIS, 300 of whom are in prison. There are almost no ideological lawyers left who honor all the traditions of the thieves’ order.

Mafia bosses gladly agree to film adaptation of their own lives. Many directors and actors were former members of criminal gangs.

Branches in the structure of the mafia appeared immediately after the start of Italian emigration. IN North America, as in many other parts of the world, the term mafia is often associated with any organized crime, not just the traditional Sicilian one.

Sicilian Cosa Nostra

The Sicilian Cosa Nostra is a loose confederation of about a hundred mafia families, each of which claims sovereignty over a territory, usually a town or village or the outskirts of a larger city, although without ever fully conquering and legitimizing its monopoly with violence.

American Cosa Nostra

The oldest, largest and most organized Italian criminal group in the United States is Cosa Nostra (our business). It arose after the adoption of Prohibition in the late 20s of the twentieth century.

Cosa Nostra has about thirty families. About five thousand people. Families in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Rhode Island and Chicago are considered the most powerful and influential.

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