Cosa Nosta: the name meaning "Our Thing"
But you won't find guys like these roaming the streets of Sicily today.
Although Cosa Nostra is still a powerful (and political force), today they are found more like this
Flaunting their wealth, status and power.
Even found on social networking sites such as Facebook.
And make no mistake. In Sicily they are far from gone. As recently as May 22, 2017- Mafia Boss: Giuseppe Dainotti was shot in the head (mob related) while riding his bicycle in Palermo.
In fact the separate factions of organized crime families (Cosa Nostra in Sicily...Ndrangheta in Calabria and Cammora in Naples) have been listed as ANOTHER reason the Messina Strait bridge (...yes...that bridge...) should never be built.
(bizarre but true)
Ironically, Cosa Nostra began in the 19th Century when Sicily was making the transition from Feudalism. With fewer than 350 police officers or carabinieri for the entire island (and many of those dishonest and untrustworthy), the formation of the organization was to protect and help those who needed help and protection. The early Cosa Nostra also helped the citrus growers and cattle industry which were often targets of theft. In the 1920's the mafia success rate at returning stolen cattle was 95% as opposed to local officials 10%.
During this time they were looked upon with respect, adoration and yes...often fear.
Two of the mafia-connected officials emerging in 1956 in Palermo were Vito Ciancimeno and Salvatore Lima. They rebuilt the city after WWII bombing securing 80% of the building contracts to just five people. Construction companies unaffliated with the mafia were forced to pay protection money.
In the early 1960's the usually trafficked cigarettes lost favor and a new form of trafficking emerged in drugs.
And in 1962 gave rise to the first Mafia War.
There was a crackdown and nearly 2000 arrests were made. The Sicilian Mafia Commission was dissolved and would remain inactive until 1969.
By the 1970's they returned strongly...with "Lucky" Luciano Leggio at their helm as Don.
By 1982 Cosa Nostra controlled 80% of the Heroin Trade.
With the rise of the Coreleonesi trying to dominate Cosa Nostra the Second Mafia War began and many were caught in the cross-fire.
In the 1980's Magistrate Giovanni Falcone would wage a personal war against Cosa Nostra. With the help of informant Tommasso Buscetti he would help arrest and hold the Maxi Trial 1986-1987 in which 474 mafiosi were put on trial. Of those, 342 were convicted.
His victory was short lived when in 1992 he was killed on May 23rd as 1000 kg of TNT positioned beneath a highway he was travelling- was detonated remotely.
As of 2016 the head of Cosa Nostra in Sicily was Matteo Messina Denaro.
He is on Italy's Most Wanted list and has not surfaced publicly in many years.
He would be 55 now.
More anon...