Camorra structure

[Homerthedog]

I have questions for those who are more knowledgeable than I about the Camorra. It seems like the Camorra is less structured than it's Sicilian and Calabrian counterparts. Anybody here have a good grasp on it's structure? Also their clans seem more fluid in the sense they seem to disappear after a powerful boss dies or is Imprisoned. Is this the case?

[johnny_scootch]

I have questions for those who are more knowledgeable than I about the Camorra. It seems like the Camorra is less structured than it's Sicilian and Calabrian counterparts. Anybody here have a good grasp on it's structure? Also their clans seem more fluid in the sense they seem to disappear after a powerful boss dies or is Imprisoned. Is this the case?

I'm pretty sure there is no set structure. The Camorra of today is not comparable to Cosa Nostra or Ndrangheta organizationally. Camorra groups are essentially gangs that come and go. The Viterbo trial of 1910 wiped them out as a criminal fraternity, prior to this their structure was very similar to the Ndrangheta. In fact the Ndrangheta structure is based on that of the early Camorra.

[johnny_scootch]

I recommend that you read 'Blood Brotherhoods; The Rise of The Italian Mafias' By John Dickie

[Homerthedog]

Thanks

[scagghiuni]

I have questions for those who are more knowledgeable than I about the Camorra. It seems like the Camorra is less structured than it's Sicilian and Calabrian counterparts. Anybody here have a good grasp on it's structure? Also their clans seem more fluid in the sense they seem to disappear after a powerful boss dies or is Imprisoned. Is this the case?

I'm pretty sure there is no set structure. The Camorra of today is not comparable to Cosa Nostra or Ndrangheta organizationally. Camorra groups are essentially gangs that come and go. The Viterbo trial of 1910 wiped them out as a criminal fraternity, prior to this their structure was very similar to the Ndrangheta. In fact the Ndrangheta structure is based on that of the early Camorra.

it is not the same fot all groups anyway, casalesi, nuvoletta, gionta and others for example are structured because they are part of cosa nostra, others have not any ranks or rituals, they are more similar to street gangs than mafia... you're right abaout all the rest, the old camorra structure was defeated after the cuocolo trial in 1909, and it's strange since camorra is as old as sicilian mafia, the first documents about is existence are from the ending of 1820s

[Homerthedog]

I guess this also explains why women can become bosses of some Camorra clans while not in the 'Ndrangheta and Cosa Nostra. I find them fascinating and somewhat mysterious. Of course I also just finished watching "Gomorrah" where the street gang aspect is clear. I just need to plunge into John Dickie's books now.

[aleksandrored]

Only the nuova camorra organizzata had a structure, and was similar to Cosa Nostra.

[crazyjoegallo]

The big clans had a structure with a boss that give to his trusted men a territory called "zona" and they are called capizona. In the camorra more women become the bosses because they ruled on the clan because their husbands,fathers or brothers are in jail or on the lam.
In the Casalesi clan the Schiavone,Bidognetti,Zagaria families had its own territories but take order by a boss.

[johnny_scootch]

Only the nuova camorra organizzata had a structure, and was similar to Cosa Nostra.

The NCO was formed by Cutolo who was an initiated member of the Ndrangheta and the NCO structure was based on the Ndrangheta which itself was based on the early Camorra. So that organizational model came full circle with birth of NCO. Maybe you’re thinking of the Nuova Famiglia which opposed the NCO and was made up of some Neapolitan Cosa Nostra families. John Dickie also wrote ‘Mafia Republic’ which has a lot of info on the war between NCO and Nuova Famiglia. All of his book on the mafia are great.

[Strax]

Only the nuova camorra organizzata had a structure, and was similar to Cosa Nostra.

Like scagghiuni said , clans like Casalesi & Nuvoletta's are structured and well organized , other Camorra clans are more like street gangs. Some of the Casalesi & Nuvoletta's members are made guys in Sicilian Mafia. 'Ndrangheta have most complex structure.

[ChicagoOutfit]

Does the Camorra have ritual and ceremonies? I think modern day they likely do not, sans for some of the more Cosa Nostra influenced families...however I know Cutolo wanted to restore the Old Camorra which had rituals and ceremonies so at one point the more modern Camorra did have those traditions renewed...I'm assuming that stuff died out with the NCO...please correct me if I'm misinterpreting.

I find the Camorra structure (or lack thereof) to be very fascinating...

[aleksandrored]

I did not know this, I just thought that the Nuova Camorra had a structure organized, thanks guys!!!

[Homerthedog]

Thanks for the comments. I'm impressed with the depth of knowledge in this forum, especially the charts, love those charts BTW.

[johnny_scootch]

Does the Camorra have ritual and ceremonies? I think modern day they likely do not, sans for some of the more Cosa Nostra influenced families...however I know Cutolo wanted to restore the Old Camorra which had rituals and ceremonies so at one point the more modern Camorra did have those traditions renewed...I'm assuming that stuff died out with the NCO...please correct me if I'm misinterpreting.

I find the Camorra structure (or lack thereof) to be very fascinating...

You are not misinterpreting, I'd refer you back to my previous posts in this thread.

At one point in Naples you had the NCO which was an organization attempting to recreate the original Camorra, you had the actual descendants of the original Camorra organizations that now operated more like gangs and you had Neapolitan Cosa Nostra families. The latter two formed an alliance called the Nuova Famiglia and went to war with the NCO.

[Homerthedog]

Touching on what others have written, it appears that the Camorra had some kind of centralized leadership in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There was a capintesta who was at least like the 'Ndrangheta's capo crimine, and probably functioned as a ceremonial boss and arbiter of disputes. At least this is what I surmise. Also other sources I stumbled across hint at that time period all the Italian crime groups had some kind of centralized leadership even the Sicilians. Anybody else read this? I can't remember my source material off hand so I could be way off on this.