Papers by Rossella Merlino
Religion may be viewed as a central component of mafia identity. Instances of this apparently par... more Religion may be viewed as a central component of mafia identity. Instances of this apparently paradoxical phenomenon range from the altars frequently found in the hideouts of mafiosi, to the ambiguous relationship with clergymen, and to the prominent roles performed by mafia leaders in local religious festivals. Although instances like these are evident throughout the history of Cosa Nostra, it is only in recent years that this phenomenon has aroused academic attention. This research adopts an interdisciplinary approach to analyse the role of religion at the micro-social level of communicative interaction between mafia leaders and affiliates at lower levels. In particular, it draws on socio-anthropological theories of religious rituals, symbols and performance to examine how, and to what extent, the religious language and behaviour used by mafia bosses in specific interactional contexts affect mafia affiliates both at an individual and collective level of identity, and at the structural level for the organisation as a whole. The research strategy adopted is based on interpretive 'in-depth' case studies. These include the analysis of the religious practices in mafia rituals of initiation; the religious references of mafia boss Michele Greco in his court hearings and written memoirs; and the religious language utilised by mafia leader Bernardo Provenzano in his pizzini (written messages). The data for this research are principally derived from judicial documents, police and parliamentary reports, audio-visual material, newspapers archives, as well as from relevant existing literature on the subject. Examining the influence of religion in the way mafiosi construct their identity and establish their authority may be useful to explore how Cosa Nostra has managed to adapt its structure and business activities to changing circumstances over time while maintaining consistent 'moral' codes and practices. Furthermore, the combination of approaches used in this research and, in particular, the novel application of performance theories to organised crime, may contribute to the delineation of an interpretative model for future analyses of various criminal organisations whose sources of social legitimisation are similarly rooted in religious values and other cultural codes. Foremost, I would like to thank my first supervisor, Professor Joseph Farrell, who has helped and supported me throughout my research with his broad knowledge and expertise. His encouragement, advice and continuous feedback have been an invaluable component of this experience. I would also like to thank my second supervisor, Professor Philip Cooke, for his support and valuable input in the process. I am grateful to all my colleagues and friends in the department for welcoming me since my arrival as one of the 'family' and for the stimulating and passionate daily discussions on different subjects. In particular, I would like to thank Francesca Perazio for being a great colleague and, above all, a friend whose altruism, laughter and wit have made this experience all the more enjoyable. My deep appreciation also goes out to my network of friends and colleagues in London. I am particularly grateful to Professor John Dickie who encouraged me to pursue PhD research during my Master's degree at University College London and helped me to define the research idea in its early stages during our frequent discussions. A special thanks to my dear friend Melania Calestani. With friendship, support and laughter, she has been, without fail, invaluable on both an academic and a personal level, for which I am, and will always be, extremely grateful. Many people have aided this research project during data gathering in Sicily. I would like to thank the staff at the Istituto Gramsci Siciliano of Palermo who were endlessly helpful during my many hours between the bookshelves. I am immensely grateful to several people at the Court of Palermo, especially Daniele Petta at the GIP v Section, who helped me to conduct research for three consecutive summers and granted access to judicial documents. The Director of the Aula Bunker at the Ucciardone Prison, Giuseppe Mineo, the President of the GIP Section, Cesare Vincenti, and the Former Chief Antimafia Prosecutor, Pietro Grasso, have been very helpful in finding documents as well as for kindly providing their insights on the mafia. In particular, I owe a debt of gratitude to magistrates Marzia Sabella and Michele Prestipino, for discussing matters related to mafia boss Bernardo Provenzano and for granting access to sources of data without which this thesis would not have been possible. Seeing them at work late at night, surrounded by voluminous folders and tight security, has showed me the other side of what being a prominent figure in the antimafia fight entails. I would also like to give a special thanks to journalist Salvo Palazzolo for sharing unpublished data and insights on the subject with me during my time in Palermo. Salvo struck me as somebody whose passion for his work and knowledge on the subject are complemented by a modesty and availability that are rare gifts in people with his public profile. Beyond description is the gratitude to my family. Their unconditional love and support have given me the strength to undertake different paths in life without fear of the outcome. My father, with his sense of humour and life maxims, has constantly brought me back to seeing things into perspective at times when problems seemed to be insurmountable. My mother, with her unquantifiable curiosity, knowledge and passion for life has been a valuable assistant throughout this research. I would be content with just becoming half the person she is one day. Last, but by no means not least, I owe an immense debt of gratitude to Gareth Brady, who has not only given his critical insights on the thesis at every stage, he has vi also patiently proofread its numerous drafts. Gareth has helped me in every possible way one person can help. I will never forget this. ii CONTENTS ABSTRACT .
The International Journal of the Humanities: Annual Review, 2012
The idea of a religious Cosa Nostra might seem to be a contradiction, yet religious symbolism and... more The idea of a religious Cosa Nostra might seem to be a contradiction, yet religious symbolism and behaviour are strikingly apparent throughout the history of the organization. Recent studies have described this phenomenon from several different perspectives (Sales, 2010; Cavadi, 2009; Dino, 2006) however, there have been fewer attempts to consider language and behaviour as a specific context in which to analyse religious references. The object of my research is to describe the role that religion plays at micro and macro-social level of interaction between the mafia leaders and the lower echelons of the organization. In particular, it refers to approaches which emphasize the role of rituality and performativity in constituting social structure and identity, to explore the effects that the religious language and behaviour of the mafia bosses have on the rest of the organization. This presentation focuses on the religious symbolism and rituals that characterize the initiation ceremony of the Sicilian mafia to analyze the effects that it has on the initiates. The methodology mainly employs anthropological approaches to ritual (Van Gennep 1909; Turner 1969, 1974), sociological theories of religion (Durkheim 1961) and Cultural Performance theories (Turner, 1986; Schechner, 2002) as its theoretical framework. The data are derived from judicial papers and the testimonies of mafia defectors. Such an approach could prove particularly useful in the study of the cultural universe of the mafia and, above all, it could provide a better understanding of the enduring ability of Cosa Nostra to adapt to changing times whilst maintaining consistent 'moral' codes and practices.
California Italian Studies, 2014
Italian Mafias Today, 2019
South European Society and Politics
Despite structural and operational differences, Italian mafias share an ability to expand and inf... more Despite structural and operational differences, Italian mafias share an ability to expand and infiltrate global economies whilst remaining rooted within their local territory. They are not only the product of specific socioeconomic and political conditions but also of the extensive complicity on which they can count. It is this fertile 'grey zone' of mafia relations with accomplices identified as enablers, facilitators, sponsors and helpers that is analysed here. Engaging with the existing literature and using a range of new judicial sources, including evidence from mafia trials, this article develops in-depth case studies to identify and examine the hidden face of Italian mafias.
California Italian Studies, 5 (1)
In the last decade, the uncovering of a "mafia system of communication" based on written messages... more In the last decade, the uncovering of a "mafia system of communication" based on written messages (pizzini) and other forms of writing has significantly challenged the long-held view that the Sicilian mafia was a criminal organisation largely based on an oral tradition. In particular, the discovery and emergence of memoirs and letters written by former mafiosi (who held different roles of responsibility within the organisation) raises new questions about the role of writing in the process of disengagement from mafia organisations. This article analyses the memoirs of mafia boss Michele Greco and mafia member Leonardo Vitale to investigate the dynamics at play when dealing with the trauma of leaving Cosa Nostra and the resulting loss of a powerful collective identity. While the acquisition of a mafia identity has been the object of numerous studies, less attention has been given to what losing mafia status entails and the specific role of writing in this process. The article draws upon theories of representation of identity in self-narratives as a basis for our interpretation. The data analysed is from judicial papers, police reports and the relevant secondary literature on the subject. A previously unknown memoir written by boss Michele Greco in 1994 is also presented in this study for the first time.
'ReadingItaly', the Italian Studies Postgraduate Forum of University of Reading, Sep 2013
FORUM: University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Journal of Culture and the Arts , Dec 6, 2013
This paper draws on socio-anthropological theories of ritual and performance to analyse the initi... more This paper draws on socio-anthropological theories of ritual and performance to analyse the initiation ceremony of the Sicilian mafia in relation to questions of power, authority and submission. In particular, it looks at the oath of loyalty sworn during the ceremony as a highly symbolic ritual practice which contributes to maintaining and strengthening the social structure of the group and itscollective identity.
This article adopts an interdisciplinary approach to analyse the symbolic religious language util... more This article adopts an interdisciplinary approach to analyse the symbolic religious language utilised by mafia boss Bernardo Provenzano in his social interactions with the lower echelons of the Sicilian mafia. When Provenzano assumed control of Cosa Nostra in the 1990s, he inherited an organisation severely diminished by a decade of internal conflicts, violence and the arrest of numerous leaders. The article argues that religious performative behaviour and language were used by the mafia boss to establish his leadership over Cosa Nostra, reshape its internal structure, and thereby revitalise an organisation in apparent terminal decline.
The idea of a religious Cosa Nostra might seem to be a contradiction, yet religious symbolism and... more The idea of a religious Cosa Nostra might seem to be a contradiction, yet religious symbolism and behaviour are strikingly apparent throughout the history of the organization. Recent studies have described this phenomenon from several different perspectives (Sales, 2010; Cavadi, 2009; Dino, 2006) however, there have been fewer attempts to consider language and behaviour as a specific context in which to analyse religious references. The object of my research is to describe the role that religion plays at micro and macro-social level of interaction between the mafia leaders and the lower echelons of the organization. In particular, it refers to approaches which emphasize the role of rituality and performativity in constituting social structure and identity, to explore the effects that the religious language and behaviour of the mafia bosses have on the rest of the organization. This presentation focuses on the religious symbolism and rituals that characterize the initiation ceremony of the Sicilian mafia to analyze the effects that it has on the initiates. The methodology mainly employs anthropological approaches to ritual (Van Gennep 1909; Turner 1969, 1974), sociological theories of religion (Durkheim 1961) and Cultural Performance theories (Turner, 1986; Schechner, 2002) as its theoretical framework. The data are derived from judicial papers and the testimonies of mafia defectors. Such an approach could prove particularly useful in the study of the cultural universe of the mafia and, above all, it could provide a better understanding of the enduring ability of Cosa Nostra to adapt to changing times whilst maintaining consistent 'moral' codes and practices.
Talks by Rossella Merlino
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Papers by Rossella Merlino
Talks by Rossella Merlino
The volume offers also a first, comparative analysis of the role played by the religious symbolism and rituals inside the criminal organizations in Russia, Mexico, and Us.