The hierarchy and structure of the Camorra were quite complex and difficult to understand, even to those with a rudimentary understanding of the Sicilian or American Mafia who make the mistake of viewing it through that lens.
Excellent breakdown. I'm quite like Calderone on this subject. I've been actively interested in the 'ndrangheta (and therefore in the Camorra) for 3 or 4 years, I still have a lot of trouble with ranks, initiations and that kind of thing.
Grazie. I can't help with the modern 'ndrangheta. You have so many great authors for that- Sergi, Paoli, Nicaso, Dickie. But there are advantages in understanding the society in its infancy. Next article I will be delving into its... articles and I will delve into the modern 'ndrangheta ever so slightly. Again, my aim isn't to retell the history of what the above authors have but merely approach it from a different angle with a concentrated focus on the American side. We'll get there but I need to go through preliminary stuff on the Italian side for the American side to make sense.
Nice article and very informative, however, I wanted to ask, have you found any evidence(besides the so called “Navy Street Gang” and co. from there and Coney Island) of Neapolitan Camorra groups in the US? The vast majority seem to have been Calabrians and not from anywhere near Naples. Even the leader of the alleged Pittsburgh “Camorra” who Nicola Gentile claimed to be Neapolitans, was also calabrian, Ferdinando Mauro.
Yes, there were many. Several in Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, Harlem, Springfield, New Jersey. Neapolitans weren't as spread out regionally like the Calabrese which is why we see the Calabrese more. But the Camorra was one conglomerate with each faction (society) being a local branch of a larger system. Like the Sicilians, it was birds of a feather with people from close comuni being affiliated but there was overlap. Mauro was from Sambiase but attended Naples Military Academy and came from a good family. He was described as the "state leader" and in other cities there were Neapolitans who presumably fell under his authority.
And I'll be finishing Art 5 soon which deals with the Bourbon Prison System. Art 6 will be the streets (a brief summary of the Camorra in Naples, Bari, Calabria, Sicily). Following that, the rest will be in the United States where I have more information, more photos, more backgrounds and genealogy. Thanks for you support.
I definitely would like to see that. You might end up covering this, but when you mention the groups in Harlem, are you talking about Aniello Prisco, Giosuè Gallucci, and other assorted individuals associated with them in that circle? I know they were Neapolitan but haven’t been able to definitely confirm them as “Camorra.” Prisco for example seems to have simply been an extortionist/robber and murderer. Either way thanks for the answer!
Well done as always, I’m looking forward to whatever you have coming next.
Thank you for your support. I know this is called American Camorra so pardon these first posts on the early Italian stuff.
The foundation always comes first.
Excellent breakdown. I'm quite like Calderone on this subject. I've been actively interested in the 'ndrangheta (and therefore in the Camorra) for 3 or 4 years, I still have a lot of trouble with ranks, initiations and that kind of thing.
The article is very academic
Grazie. I can't help with the modern 'ndrangheta. You have so many great authors for that- Sergi, Paoli, Nicaso, Dickie. But there are advantages in understanding the society in its infancy. Next article I will be delving into its... articles and I will delve into the modern 'ndrangheta ever so slightly. Again, my aim isn't to retell the history of what the above authors have but merely approach it from a different angle with a concentrated focus on the American side. We'll get there but I need to go through preliminary stuff on the Italian side for the American side to make sense.
Salut.
Angelo,
Nice article and very informative, however, I wanted to ask, have you found any evidence(besides the so called “Navy Street Gang” and co. from there and Coney Island) of Neapolitan Camorra groups in the US? The vast majority seem to have been Calabrians and not from anywhere near Naples. Even the leader of the alleged Pittsburgh “Camorra” who Nicola Gentile claimed to be Neapolitans, was also calabrian, Ferdinando Mauro.
Thank you!
Yes, there were many. Several in Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, Harlem, Springfield, New Jersey. Neapolitans weren't as spread out regionally like the Calabrese which is why we see the Calabrese more. But the Camorra was one conglomerate with each faction (society) being a local branch of a larger system. Like the Sicilians, it was birds of a feather with people from close comuni being affiliated but there was overlap. Mauro was from Sambiase but attended Naples Military Academy and came from a good family. He was described as the "state leader" and in other cities there were Neapolitans who presumably fell under his authority.
And I'll be finishing Art 5 soon which deals with the Bourbon Prison System. Art 6 will be the streets (a brief summary of the Camorra in Naples, Bari, Calabria, Sicily). Following that, the rest will be in the United States where I have more information, more photos, more backgrounds and genealogy. Thanks for you support.
I definitely would like to see that. You might end up covering this, but when you mention the groups in Harlem, are you talking about Aniello Prisco, Giosuè Gallucci, and other assorted individuals associated with them in that circle? I know they were Neapolitan but haven’t been able to definitely confirm them as “Camorra.” Prisco for example seems to have simply been an extortionist/robber and murderer. Either way thanks for the answer!