Omerta, the vow of silence
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Posted by Mark Bond in Arts section |
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The code of omerta, if put into words might say: "Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward. Whoever cannot take care of himself without police protection is both. It is cowardly to betray an offender to justice, even though his offenses be against yourself, as it is not to avenge an injury by violence.
It is dastardly and contemptible in a wounded man to betray the name of his assailant, because if he recovers, he must naturally expect to take vengeance himself. A wounded man shall say to his assailant: If I live, I will kill you - If I die you are forgiven."
From THE RISE AND FALL OF THE CLEVELAND MAFIA - Rick Porrello (1995)
Sicily being the largest island in the Mediterranean, Influenced many countries to invade it, conquer it and prosper from it.Sicilian peasants were little more than slave labor to their foreign overlords. Thus the Mafia was born, a secret society that provided the poor, oppressed Sicilians with protection, stability and pride.
The Mafia “vendetta” was the Sicilian form of justice. The victimized were quiet and patient. Vengeance was saved for a future time.
The chronic invasions left the Sicilians feeling the government weren’t helping them out and that they couldn’t trust the government no longer so the Mafia golden rule of “omerta” (can be translated as honor) was born.
It became an unwritten rule to leave the government out of private affairs. Crimes were considered to be personal and not for the government but for vendetta.
More History?
Omerta ("Silence") is a criminal organisation, apparently roughly based on the Mafia, which has grown up since the coming of the Hounds. However, they are a ‘purified’ or ‘idealised’ version of the Mafia.
They are led by the “Capo de Tutti Capi” (Leader of Leaders) whose identity remains a mystery. Local ‘families’ (lead by individual Capo) cover geographical areas, usually determined by communication times and population density.
Omerta indulges in most criminal activities, the precise emphasis varying from family to family. All members are ‘brainfixed’ for loyalty, to kill them before they can talk (or have their minds read). However, before this they must prove their loyalty by committing crimes and undergoing a variety (of usually family-specific) entrance rituals and ordeals. Once an initiated Omerta member has proved themselves on at least one mission they acquire a nickname by which they are from that point known within Omerta. These usually bear a great deal of resemblance to the superhero names of the past.
People join Omerta for many reasons. Some because they have no-where else to go. Others because they believe that Humanity is doomed, and no-one can save it, so they will do what they want, and at least live out their days in luxury or doing interesting things. A few are kidnapped or blackmailed into Omerta, people whose powers or abilities make them indispensable to Omerta.
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