La Cosa Nostra: History, Rules & The Five Families of New York Mafia
La Cosa Nostra, meaning "Our Thing" in Italian, is the term used by the Sicilian Mafia to describe their secret criminal organization. Over decades, it has become synonymous with organized crime in the United States, especially in New York City. The notorious Five Families — Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Bonanno, and Colombo — have dominated illegal activities in the Big Apple for generations. This article delves deep into their history, rules, influence, and current status in 2025.
Origins of La Cosa Nostra
The origins of La Cosa Nostra trace back to mid-19th century Sicily. Initially, it was a local protection system for landowners and peasants, functioning as an enforcement mechanism in a region with weak government control. Its members were expected to maintain secrecy, loyalty, and discipline. By the early 20th century, Italian immigrants brought these practices to the United States, particularly in New York, Chicago, and Boston, where organized crime could thrive in immigrant neighborhoods.
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Meaning of La Cosa Nostra
The literal translation of La Cosa Nostra is "Our Thing." It embodies a tightly-knit network governed by strict codes, secrecy, and loyalty. The organization enforces an unwritten set of rules to maintain order, prevent betrayal, and ensure that all members contribute to the collective operations. These rules became especially important as the organization expanded its criminal enterprises into gambling, racketeering, extortion, and narcotics.
The Five Families of New York
In 1931, after the bloody Castellammarese War, Salvatore Maranzano restructured New York’s Italian-American gangs into five major families. This restructuring led to the creation of "The Commission," a governing body to resolve disputes and prevent violent conflicts. Here’s a breakdown of the Five Families:
- Gambino Family – Founded by Carlo Gambino, historically one of the most powerful, controlling significant territory and rackets in New York.
- Genovese Family – Led by Vito Genovese, known for strict discipline and strategic influence over labor unions and legitimate businesses.
- Lucchese Family – Focused on labor unions, construction, and organized crime in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
- Bonanno Family – Founded by Joseph Bonanno, involved heavily in narcotics and traditional criminal enterprises.
- Colombo Family – Originally established by Joseph Profaci, notorious for internal wars but still influential in illegal operations.
These families have historically controlled illegal activities like extortion, gambling, narcotics, loan sharking, and money laundering. The Commission ensured cooperation among families and resolved disputes to prevent large-scale wars.
Rules of La Cosa Nostra
Members of La Cosa Nostra follow a strict set of rules, often referred to as the code of conduct:
- Omertà: Absolute silence about family affairs; members must never cooperate with law enforcement.
- Loyalty: Unwavering allegiance to the family.
- Respect: Obedience and deference to higher-ranking members.
- Secrecy: Keep all internal matters confidential.
- Discipline: Punishments, including death, for breaches of rules.
La Cosa Nostra’s Influence in the United States
During the 20th century, La Cosa Nostra grew to dominate organized crime in major cities. It infiltrated labor unions, casinos, restaurants, and construction companies. Its influence extended into politics and law enforcement, often through bribery and intimidation. The Mafia was involved in historic events such as Prohibition-era bootlegging, the rise of illegal gambling in the 1970s, and complex narcotics operations.
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Decline and Law Enforcement Crackdowns
In the 1980s and 1990s, federal authorities launched aggressive investigations using the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations). High-profile prosecutions led to convictions of top bosses and underbosses, severely weakening the organization. The once-feared Mafia faced internal strife and reduced control over illegal enterprises.
Is La Cosa Nostra Still Active?
Yes, though its influence has waned. The Five Families continue to operate clandestinely in gambling, loansharking, and extortion, but modern law enforcement techniques have limited their scope. In 2024, for example, members of the Gambino family were arrested in connection with a $22M illegal gambling ring. Despite this, La Cosa Nostra maintains a symbolic presence in organized crime and continues to inspire movies, TV shows, and books.
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The Mafia Motto
The guiding principle of the Mafia is Omertà — a code of silence. This ensures loyalty, secrecy, and the survival of the organization despite law enforcement scrutiny.
Founder of La Cosa Nostra
While the Sicilian Mafia itself originated in 19th century Sicily, Salvatore Maranzano is credited with structuring the New York Five Families in 1931. His work created the foundation for modern organized crime in the United States and influenced the hierarchy and operations of the Mafia for decades.
Current Leadership
The exact leadership today is shrouded in secrecy. Top bosses often operate covertly to avoid law enforcement attention. Despite this, intelligence suggests the Five Families continue to manage traditional criminal enterprises, though with less influence than in the mid-20th century.
Pronunciation of La Cosa Nostra
English: /lɑː ˈkɔːzə ˈnɒstrə/
Italian: /la ˈkɔːza ˈnɔstra/
Books and Documentaries
For readers who want to dive deeper, several books and documentaries provide detailed insights:
Conclusion
La Cosa Nostra remains one of the most famous criminal organizations in history. From its Sicilian roots to the Five Families of New York, it has left a lasting mark on organized crime. While law enforcement efforts have diminished its power, the Mafia continues to operate quietly, preserving its legacy and the mystique of "Our Thing."
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