The Origins of Ndrangheta: A Historical Perspective

When people from other countries think about the Mafia, they typically envision large mansions where bosses live surrounded by bodyguards, attractive women, and drugs. While this depiction may resemble a glamorous Hollywood movie, the reality of the Italian Mafia is far from showcasing power and riches. One of the most influential yet secretive Mafias is the Ndrangheta, which originates from Calabria. It is worthwhile to briefly explore the origins of the term "Ndrangheta" as it holds significant clues for understanding its historical context.

The word Ndrangheta is believed to be derived from the ancient Greek term ἀνδραγαθία, or andragathia, which means "virile virtue, courage" according to La Piccola Treccani. The Ndrangheta historically claimed to embody these values and aimed to create consent by boasting about them. They presented themselves as brave, noble, and worthy of respect. Specifically, the Ndrangheta asserted that they believed in justice and social order, which they suggested the legal powers could not guarantee. Through manipulating people's trust, they sought to turn it against the State and other institutions.

Get quality help now

WriterBelle

Verified writer

Proficient in: Italy

4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Beginning several decades ago, the term Ndrangheta began to be used in Calabria to refer to a level of bravery and righteousness embodied by an elite group of men known as ndranghetisti. In the Calabrian dialect, ndranghetista referred to a skilled man who had the ability to protect and ensure respect for his honor (La Piccola Treccani). Legend has it that in the late seventeenth century, three knights named Osso, Mastrosso, and Carcagnosso set sail from Spain on a mission of honor and arrived in Italy.

The text provides information about the beginnings of three criminal organizations in Italy. The first, named Cosa Nostra, was formed in Sicily by an individual who dedicated themselves to Saint George. The second group, known as the Camorra, originated in Campania and was established by someone devoted to the Virgin Mary. The third organization, called Ndrangheta, emerged in Calabria through the efforts of someone who prayed to Saint Michael the Archangel. It is important to note that Ndrangheta was actually founded during the latter half of the 19th century in Calabria, a region resembling Italy's boot-shaped toe geography. This information is sourced from "Vieni via con me- Puntana Intera."

Calabria has always been a region characterized by poverty, a weak industrial sector, and small businesses. However, the absence of legal authorities in Calabria allowed Ndrangheta, the organized crime group, to thrive for 50 years. The first official mentions of Ndrangheta appeared in documents from 1861, which denounced the presence of organized crime (Gratteri and Nicaso 21). During the Fascist era, Ndrangheta's power diminished slightly as the rural populace that supported it received protection from the regime. Some peasants even managed to rebel and report the criminal activities.

However, despite this, the Ndrangheta was able to infiltrate its members into the ruling class of Fascists. After World War II, many Ndranghetisti were appointed as mayors by the Allies who had landed in southern Italy. In 1955, journalist and writer Corrado Alvari mentioned the Ndrangheta for the first time outside of Calabria. In his article in Corriere della Sera, he described it as something not shameful to be associated with because it helped to manage the chaos caused by the lack of government ("Breve Storia della Ndrangheta 1/3").

After a few months since Alvari's article, the initial official operation against Ndrangheta took place in Calabria, led by police commissioner Marzano. Marzano successfully arrested 261 individuals and ousted many others from their positions (Gratteri and Nicaso 39). In the 1960s, Ndrangheta expanded its operations to northern Italy, engaging in tender and drug businesses. Simultaneously, the organization continued to accumulate wealth through a series of kidnappings that surged in the 1970s.

In 1975, the first Ndrangheta war commenced with the murder of leader Antonio Macri, resulting in a considerable death toll and numerous casualties. This conflict was characterized as a generational battle, pitting younger members against the older ndranghetisti. From 1985 to 1991, the second Ndrangheta war erupted in Calabria, but unlike the previous war, this conflict was not driven by age differences. Instead, it arose from disputes among independent Ndrangheta factions regarding the sharing of illicit proceeds, ultimately leading to the outbreak of hostilities.

In 1991, following 700 casualties and the assassination of Judge Antonio Scoppelliti, the gangs made the decision to sign "a pact of non-belligerence: the conflict concluded without any victors or losers, but with a collective determination to disarm and concentrate efforts on combating extensive drug trafficking" (Gratteri and Nicaso 66). With its businesses and revenues steadily increasing, and its operations expanding internationally, the Ndrangheta evolved into what it is today - the most dominant Mafia organization in Italy and one of the most influential worldwide.

Ndrangheta stands out from other Mafias due to its strong emphasis on family bonds, which serve as a catalyst for its criminal activities. The core foundation of this criminal organization revolves around the boss (capobastone) and their immediate family, forming the central axis upon which the gang, known as ndrina, is formed. Traditionally, each ndrina was responsible for a specific territory, but in cases where multiple families of Ndranghetisti coexisted, the territory would be divided among them to ensure each family could exert its own power.

More ndrine could have been bounded under the same locale, a larger criminal group. However, unlike Cosa Nostra, the ndrangheta never evolved into a hierarchical structure. Only in late 1991 was a central structure established to coordinate the organization. Despite the horizontal nature of the ndrangheta, it is challenging to differentiate between the various factions that operate. We can classify them as either the Minor or Major Society.

The Picciotto is the first stage in the career of the Ndrangheta's Minor Society: they are merely executors of orders, compelled to obey the higher levels of the ndrina in hope of gaining immediate benefits. The Camorrista holds a noteworthy position as an affiliate who has undergone training and is capable of completing missions that the Picciotto cannot. The Sgarrista represents the final stage of the Minor Society and holds the highest relevance. Within the Major Society, there is a diverse range of roles, such as the Vangelo, an individual who has sworn upon the gospel.

It is interesting to note that individuals who are not part of the Ndrangheta are referred to as the Contrasts, while those who are not members but support it are called Honored Contrasts. ("Roberto Saviano - La Ndrangheta al Nord") What sets Ndrangheta apart from other Italian Mafias is the inclusion of females as members. Women played a significant role in this organization, as their marriages could strengthen the ndrine and they had the opportunity to join and rise within the hierarchy, eventually attaining the highest female position known as the Sisters of Humility.

This position involves caring for fugitive members, facilitating their communication with other Ndranghetisti, and collecting bribes. The Ndrangheta also possesses a mystical aspect, often preserving codes that meticulously detail the organization's rituals and ceremonies. Additionally, there exist rules to follow in cases of betrayal and guidelines on utilizing images of saints and reciting ritual phrases during ceremonies.

The Ndrangheta is currently involved in a wide range of illegal activities. These activities include drug trafficking (where it holds a monopoly on cocaine distribution in Italy), murder, bombings, counterfeiting, gambling, fraud, theft, labor racketing, loan-sharing, alien smuggling, and kidnapping (Shanti and Paban 462). According to the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, the annual turnover of the Ndrangheta generates 43.7 billion euros, which is slightly higher than the GDP of Estonia (13.2 billion euros) and Slovenia (30.4 billion euros) ("’Ndrangheta, con droga e appalti giro d'affari di 44 milliard").

Today, Ndrangheta is one of the most powerful organizations globally. It has strong connections with corrupt politicians and obscure secret services. Compared to Cosa Nostra, it is less vulnerable to external infiltration and the phenomenon of pentitismo. However, it has extensive branches worldwide, spanning from Italy (especially Lombardy) to Germany, Russia, France, Spain, Switzerland, Bolivia, the United States, Canada, and Australia (Mammone and Veltri 176-180).

However, the Ndrangheta is more than just an outdated group of criminals. It is a criminal organization that has infiltrated the middle class and upper classes, and has expanded its influence across all sectors of society, including government services, joint businesses, and electoral bodies. This has transformed the Ndrangheta into not only a group of entrepreneurs, but also a social entity that inadequately addresses the needs of dissatisfied citizens due to limitations and insufficient public policies.

During the past decade, the police carried out numerous operations targeting Italian Mafias. These initiatives resulted in significant achievements, including the arrest and prosecution of not only Mafia members but also politicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, doctors, and numerous individuals involved in corruption and Mafia-related scandals. Furthermore, after years of intricate efforts, various prominent bosses were apprehended with the invaluable assistance of police forces from countries such as the United States and Germany.

Following successful operations, the Italian state was able to acquire numerous confiscated properties. According to the analysis by Codiretti, over 2,000 agricultural lands were seized until 2009 ("Oltre 2 mila terreni confiscati alla mafia tornano alla legalita"). The confiscation holds great significance in the fight against the Mafia, as it not only brings economic benefits through the requalification of these territories but also deals a psychological blow to the Mafia's apparatus. They witness their properties becoming valuable assets for the Italian state.

A Mafia member would expect to be imprisoned (despite their efforts to avoid it), but would never want to see their land used for legal purposes. Additionally, the projects send a clear message to local residents – it is feasible to combat the mafia and establish prosperous businesses within the boundaries of the law" ("Organised Crime – EU Funds to Redevelop Seized Mafia Land in Italy"). In addition to numerous associations that strive to rehabilitate these areas, there is Libera Terra, a non-profit company that originated from the larger organization Libera, which was established by Don Luigi Ciotti in 1995.

Cooperatives of students in Sicily, Calabria, Campania, Puglia, and Lazio have taken over and cultivated confiscated lands through LIbera Terra. These cooperatives have successfully produced various organic goods such as oil, wine, pasta, taralli, legumes, and preserves ("Libera - Chi Siamo"). Back in 2008, I had the opportunity to participate in one of Libera Terra's summer camps. It was a challenging week that required early morning wake-ups and six hours of work on the lands. However, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

Despite the positive developments mentioned above, the Ndrangheta continues to thrive at Gioia Tauro, its primary port. This port is frequently targeted for searches due to its involvement in international drug trafficking. Experts on organized crime have historically underestimated and even overlooked the Ndrangheta, viewing it as a cultural phenomenon associated with the Sicilian Cosa Nostra.

Despite the substantial presence of law enforcement and judicial authorities, the Ndrangheta organization managed to withstand by leveraging its robust family structure. In contrast to numerous Cosa Nostra members who became informants, Ndrangheta members maintained unwavering loyalty towards their fathers, brothers, and other relatives. As time passed, the Ndrangheta system demonstrated greater resilience compared to other criminal groups thanks to its flexible yet closely interconnected setup.

The Ndrangheta has successfully maintained its existence by operating covertly and evading media scrutiny. It has seldom been associated with prominent assassinations, except for the case of Judge Scoppelliti in 1991. Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable change in their tactics in recent times. The massacre in Duisburg, Germany in 2007 and the killing of Vice President Francesco Fortugno in 2005 indicate a shift in how they operate. Despite extensive discourse and criticism surrounding the Mafia, there is still considerable progress to be made.

Firstly, it is crucial to acknowledge that the Mafia's reach extends beyond Southern Italy; its impact can be observed in all regions, albeit with varying levels of prominence. Secondly, the Mafia encompasses more than mere behaviors; it represents a mentality deeply ingrained in society, especially among Italians. Think about a typical day: how frequently do you witness or hear something amiss and opt to disregard it because "that's just the way things are"? How often do you bend or violate rules? How regularly do you carry out your job improperly?

The Italian mentality needs to eliminate the mentality of taking the easy way out and not caring or being involved. This habit is destructive to society and allows Mafias to thrive. In the words of Roberto Saviano, the true revolution is simply doing your job properly. Complaining without taking action never solves problems, so people should start working within their local communities to bring about change at higher levels. A democratic society begins with the people, after all.

Fourthly, in order to be more specific, individuals have the option to partake in voluntary activities within numerous organizations that combat organized crime. Alternatively, they may provide financial assistance or support by purchasing goods produced by these associations. Lastly, it is crucial to continuously discuss the issue of Mafia, as emphasized by Judge Paolo Borsellino: "Discuss the topic of Mafia; discuss it persistently on radio, television, and in newspapers. But do talk about it" ("Per Combattere La Mafia Bisogna Parlarne").