A patriotic society formed from the Sicilian’s hatred for outsiders was known as the Mafia. The origin of the word Mafia is uncertain but there are three possibilities. The first one dates back to the ninth century. It said that when the Sicilian farmers fled into the hillsides to seek refuge from the vicious Arab invaders, the runaways were referred to as Mafia-meaning “place of refuge” (Feder 9) in Arabic. The second story state

The modern Mafia chooses its members carefully. Contrary to popular belief, being Sicilian is not a requirement, although rising to the top is unlikely if the man-membership is restricted to men-is not a full-blooded Sicilian. If you are born into or marry someone who is in the Mafia, you are automatically granted a membership. The membership process for a newcomer requires three phases. First, a candidate must demonstrate an early interest in crime and build enough of a reputation to attract the attention of a family. If the family decides to apprentice the would-be member, he must serve as a “soldier” for several years with a perfect record of merit and obedience. The third phase occurs only if the boss decides the family needs new blood. If accepted as a full Mafiosi, the apprentice is “made” in a ceremony that is said to involve drawing blood from his gun finger, smearing a written oath with the blood from his gun finger, and then burning the piece of paper in the palm of his hand. Once someone is admitted to the ranks of the Mafia, the only way out is through death (Feder 10).

s that in 1282, a French soldier raped a Sicilian girl in front of her mother, who ran through the cobble stone streets screaming, “Ma fia! Ma fia!” meaning my daughter (Feder 9). When she reached the town square, she bemoaned the loss of her family’s honor and called for revenge. The group of rebels accepted her challenge and adopted her cry. The third possibility states that the term Mafia is an acronym for a famous Sicilian resistance motto, “Morte alla Francia Italia anedel!” or “Death to the Frenc

Some topics in this essay:
Arabs Europeans, French Italy’s, Baltimore Capone, Johnny Torrio’s, Prohibition Bardsley, Al Bardsley, Raffaele Teresina, Gabriele Capone, Johnny Torrio, Capone Capone, feder 9, blood gun, johnny torrio, criminal society, blood gun finger, gun finger,