The mafia is not an individual head or an organization. Rather, this term is said to refer to different gangster groups of Families that are involved in organized criminal activities. Many Families of the group can have their heritage traced back to Sicily, Italy.
Divisions
It is into five major groups that the mafia family has been divided into, based upon their operative region or their place of origin. The major gangs which are involved in different types of criminal activities across the globe, do boast of having bases in several nations.
The different major groups
- Sicilian Mafia of Sicily origin
- Calabrian Mafia of Clabrian province origin
- Cammora Mafia Of Naples origin
- La Cosa Nostra, an American Mafia having its roots in Italy and Sicily
- Sacra Corona Unita group operating in Italy’s Puglia region
When naming the mafia family is concerned, no clear naming conception is present. Generally, families were named after the province or town of their arrival. At times, names were changed to their Don’s name, if he has influenced tremendous power and ruled for a long time. Few families also derived their name from city of operation.
Almost 200 Mafia families are present in Sicily. Few of them are Corleoneis family, Motisi family and Greco family, while many had emigrated to the US and other places.
There are few families in the US also, with the prominent ones being Colombo, Bonanno, Genovese, Gambino, Buffalo crime family, Lucchese, Los Angeles crime gang, Scarfo crime family, etc.
Rank terminology
The traditional mafia members’ terminologies are as follows:
- Boss of Bosses – Capo di-tutti capi
- King Boss of all Bosses – Capo di-Capi Re (respect title given to retired or senior member)
- Crime Boss or Don – Capo Crimine
- Club Head or Underboss – Capo Bastone
- Advisor – Consigliere
- Regime Head or the captain – Caporegime (commander of group of 20 or more soldiers or Sgarriste
- Soldier – Soldato or Sgarrista (group members serving as foot soldiers)
- Little Man – Picciotto (low ranking member serving as ‘enforcer’)
- Associate Member – Giovane D’Onore (not belonging to Italian ancestry)
Structure
- Boss/Don – Capofamiglia
- Right hand man / Advisor / Counselor – Consigliere
- Second in command / underboss – Sotto Capo
- Capo / Captain – Capodecina
- Soldiers / Made Men / ‘Men of Honor’ – Uomini D’onore
Mafia history is seen to be interesting and although negative has been glorified in movies, comics and television series. Hence taking this opportunity and demand for online mafia game, developers have been creating numerous titles, every now and then.