Mafiosi introduce known members to each other as belonging to cosa nostra ("our thing") or la stessa cosa ("the same thing"), meaning "he is the same thing as you – a mafioso."

La Cosa Nostra evolved from the Sicilian Mafia and is one of the foremost organized criminal threats to American society. Translated into English it means “this thing of ours.”

Also called: Cosa Nostra (Italian: Our Thing) or black hand Areas Of Involvement: What Is the Origin of the Word Mafia? Riina’s designated successor, Bernardo Provenzano, consolidated control of the …

Oct 14, 2021 · Here’s a brief overview of La Cosa Nostra (which literally translates as ‘our thing’) and their operations in the United States. Beginnings The Mafia was a largely Sicilian phenomenon, a …

The Cosa Nostra, also known as the “Mob” or the “Mafia,” evolved from the Sicilian Mafia and is one of the foremost organized criminal threats to American society.

Dec 31, 2025 · Explore the roots and transformation of the Italian Mafia, Cosa Nostra, from Sicily's history to global organized crime. Discover key figures and events.

May 26, 2024 · The Sicilian Mafia, known as La Cosa Nostra ("Our Thing"), has a long and complex history in the United States. Born out of the feudal system in 19th-century Sicily, the Mafia emerged …