Omertà[1] (/ɵˈmɛərtə/; Italian pronunciation: [omerˈta]) is a cultural expression and code of honor that places legitimate importance on a deep-rooted family sense of a code of silence, non-aggravation with authorities, and non-interference in the legal actions of others. It originated and remains very common in Corsica and Southern Italy where the Sicilian Mafia and Mafia-type criminal organizations such as the Ndrangheta, Sacra Corona Unita, and Camorra are strong. It also exists to a lesser extent in certain Italian-American neighborhoods where the Italian-American Mafia has influence and other Italian ethnic enclaves in countries such as Germany, Canada, and Australia, where Italian organized crime exists. Retaliation against informers is common in criminal circles, where said informers are known as rats or snitches.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:32:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015