By Matija Šerić
The Sicilian Mafia, or Cosa Nostra, emerged as a result of complex historical, social, economic, and political conditions in Sicily. Throughout its turbulent history, this Italian island was a target of conquest and foreign rule, including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, and Austrians. These invasions and wars created specific conditions in which the Sicilian Mafia could develop into a powerful organization.
The Mystical Origin of the Name Mafia
The name mafia is very mystical, and its exact origin remains unknown. There are, however, some theories. According to a romantic legend, the name emerged in the late 13th century during the uprising against the French Angevin forces in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. One Sicilian woman was killed while being raped by a French soldier. In retaliation, her fiancé avenged her by slitting the soldier’s throat. This tragic episode supposedly inspired the creation of the rebellious slogan MAFIA, which is an acronym formed from the first letters of each word in the phrase: „Morte alla Francia Italia anela,“ meaning „Death to France is Italy’s cry.“ The revolt against the French occupation forces in 1282 became known as the Sicilian Vespers because the signal to begin the resistance was the ringing of church bells for evening prayer.
The Emergence of the Mafia
At the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, Sicily was under Spanish rule, which maintained a feudal system dominated by powerful landowners. Peasants often worked on the estates of wealthy feudal lords without property rights or security, and the authorities neglected and exploited them. This feudal system fostered a culture of distrust toward state institutions and encouraged Sicilians to rely on local leaders who could provide protection.
When Italy was unified in 1861, the authorities attempted to reform the country and modernize society. However, the state institutions were weak and inefficient, and in remote regions like Sicily, they often lacked both the power and the will to maintain order. Under these conditions, local families and individuals took on the role of protectors of their communities. The mafia initially emerged due to the weakness of the newly formed Italian state. Sicilians developed a custom of relying on mafiosi, or „protectors“—leaders from the local community who provided protection, delivered „justice“, and organized activities where the state had failed.
The term mafioso was not originally derogatory. The name of the mafia, Cosa Nostra, translates to „Our Thing“. The protectors were given titles such as capo or uomo d’onore („man of honor“). They acted as judges and enforcers, with their power resting on the loyalty of the local community and their ability to impose authority.
Establishing the Mafia’s Organizational Structure
Gradually, these protectors began to establish a hierarchical organization. They offered protection to local merchants, landowners, and peasants, expecting compensation in the form of money or goods in return. This system evolved into a parallel network of power, completely independent of state institutions. One of the key elements of Cosa Nostra became the code of silence—omertà. This vow of silence meant never cooperating with authorities and resolving issues within the community. Omertà became the foundation of the Mafia’s modus operandi, and breaking it was considered betrayal, typically punishable by death. Silence and loyalty were crucial for the Mafia’s survival, allowing it to grow without direct confrontation with the Italian state.
The economy of Sicily, which was based on agriculture, played a crucial role in establishing Mafia structures. Since landowners often lived in cities and were absent from their estates, they hired intermediaries to oversee their properties and collect rent. The Mafia became this intermediary force, offering „protection“ from theft and robbery but acting as a paramilitary unit that intimidated peasants and imposed its own rules. Additionally, the Mafia became involved in the fruit trade, which was highly profitable at the time. By controlling the lemon and orange trade, which was in high demand across Europe, Mafia families gained a stable income and significant power in the local economy.
Mafiosi – „The Good Guys“
Sicilians saw the Mafia as a savior from the „evil“ Italian state. The Sicilian identity was very strong, while the Italian one was weak and would take decades to establish itself on the island. This benefited local Mafia members, as the average person saw them as the „good guys“. Of course, in reality, the Mafia was never „good“ but rather a group of criminals committing crimes and atrocities. Although they engaged in heinous activities like torture and murder, it must be acknowledged that Mafia bosses possessed a high level of social intelligence. They knew how to deal with the state. Rather than engaging in direct conflicts with state authorities, they operated in the background. They bribed corrupt politicians, police officers, and other public officials, thereby infiltrating local governance. This silent mode of operation allowed them to maintain a constant presence in Sicilian society.
Expanding into All Levels of Society
Over the years, the Mafia slowly but steadily spread from rural areas into major cities like Palermo. The first significant Mafia families emerged, beginning to manage businesses. To prevent conflicts between different Mafia organizations, the families reached agreements on dividing territories and jointly controlling activities such as extortion and smuggling. By the early 20th century, Cosa Nostra was already well-organized and had become a key player in many aspects of the local economy and politics. Its hierarchy, code of honor, and vow of silence enabled it to survive for decades, adapting to societal changes and various authorities.
