'Ndrangheta And Its Traditions


In the course of history, many criminal secret societies have developed and internalized a series of rituals. These rituals had an aggregative value because they allowed very different people to feel part of a single group.
The Italian mafia has a few centuries of history behind it and brings with it rituals linked to religion and territorial tradition, which are still applied today. The 'Ndrangheta in particular is characterized by a series of secret ceremonials passed down orally or through codes. Over the years the authorities have found traces of these rituals and have managed to outline a fairly precise pattern.
As you may know, the importance of the ritual is born with a legend The initiation rites of mafias such as camorra and 'Ndrangheta are very similar. These ceremonials allow the organizations to structure themselves in an orderly fashion and to abide by rules and a code of honor that is the same for everyone.
The 'Ndrangheta is a group that acts in silence and prefers to establish ties and gain power in the shadows, without making too much noise. The rite is an excellent way to achieve this goal and perhaps that is also why it is still held in high regard today. But how do these affiliation ceremonies come about and why do they all look alike?
The answer can be found in a legend shared by Italian mafias. It is the story of Osso, Mastrosso and Carcagnosso, set in 15th century Spain.
These three brothers were part of a knightly society called Garduna. Honor was the founding principle of this association. Osso, Mastrosso and Carcagnosso discovered one day that their sister's honor had been violated by an individual protected by the king. The three took revenge on him by killing him and for this they were arrested and sent to the Fortress of Santa Caterina, in the island of Favignana.
During their imprisonment, the brothers devised the rules for a new society based on honor. They thought about rites, codes, symbols and initiation ceremonies and, once out of jail, they laid the foundations of the mafia. Osso remained in Sicily and gave life to Cosa Nostra, Carcagnosso continued to Campania to found the Camorra and Mastrosso remained in Calabria, where he developed the 'Ndrangheta. This legend has contributed to the nobility of the origins of criminal organizations and to give justification to the rites of affiliation.
Affiliation and offices Each new affiliate must undergo a ceremonial ceremony to be officially welcomed into the criminal group. The 'Ndrangheta is structured in a very precise way and within it the mafiosi hold positions that are linked to their power, the period of presence in the cosca and sometimes even familiarity with other members of the group.
Affiliation to the 'Ndrangheta is called baptism. Usually a holy card is burned and the new mafioso must pronounce a formula that is called copied. At the end of the ritual the new affiliate receives a dowry and an office.
Currently it is possible to have an idea of the charges present within the criminal organization. This is thanks to judicial sources and law enforcement operations.
In the hierarchy the lowest place, that is the one occupied by the new affiliates, is that of picciotto of honor. Sometimes those who have a blood tie with a Mafioso can already have the title of young man of honor from birth.
After a certain period of time spent within the group, the picciotto can rise in level and become sgarrista or camorrista.

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