The most famous mafiosi: list, biographies, interesting facts. Italian mafia from a to z

Intelligence, cunning, and sober calculation - that's what helped these bandits stay afloat. Oh yes, we almost forgot: they were also helped by composure, cruelty, and the desire for blood.

1. Al Capone (1899 - 1947)

Legend underworld of those times and the most famous mafia boss in history. Was prominent representative criminal America. His fields of activity were:

• bootlegging (illegal trade in alcohol during Prohibition in the United States);
• prostitution;
• gambling business.

Known as the organizer of the most cruel and big day in history criminal world— Massacre on Valentine's Day (then seven powerful gangsters from the Irish gang of Bugs Moran, including right hand boss).

Al Capone was the first among all the gangsters to launder money through a huge network of laundries, the prices of which were very low. Capone was the first to introduce the concept of “racketeering” and successfully dealt with it, laying the foundation for a new vector of mafia activity.

The nickname "Scarface" Alfonso received at the age of 19, when he worked in a billiard club. He then protested the violent felon Frank Galluccio and insulted his wife. After that, a fight and stabbing took place between the bandits. Result: Capone received a famous scar on his left cheek. By right, Al was a personality, the most influential and terrifying on everyone, including the government, which was able to put him behind bars just for tax evasion.

Find out about Capone's most notorious crimes in the following video:

2. Lucky Luciano (1897 - 1962)

Originally from Sicily, Lucky became in America, in fact, the founder of the underworld. His real name is Charles. Lucky (in translation means “Lucky”), he was called after the bandit was taken to a deserted highway, tortured, beaten, cut, burned his face with cigarettes, and he remained alive after that.

The people who tortured him turned out to be Maranzano gangsters. They wanted to know the location of the drug cache. But Charles did not give up. After unsuccessful torture, they left the bloodied body without any signs of life by the road, thinking that Luciano was dead. There, after 8 hours, the poor fellow was picked up by a patrol car. Luciano received 60 stitches and survived.

After this incident, the nickname "Lucky" remained with him forever. Lucky organized the "Big Seven" - a group of bootleggers, whom he gave protection from the authorities. He became the boss of Cosa Nostra, which controlled all areas of activity in the criminal world.

Source: wikipedia.org

3. Pablo Escobar (1949 - 1993)

The most cruel and daring Colombian drug lord. entered the history of the 20th century as the most violent criminal and the head of the largest drug cartel. He established the supply of cocaine to different parts of the world, mainly to the United States, on a grandiose scale, up to transportation by planes in tens of kilograms. He, as the head of the Medellin cocaine cartel, is credited with the murders of more than 200 judges and prosecutors, more than 1,000 policemen and journalists, presidential candidates, ministers, and prosecutors general. Escobar's net worth in 1989 was over $15 billion.

Source: wikipedia.org

4. John Gotti (1940 - 2002)

John Gotti was a famous figure, he was loved by the press, he was always dressed to the nines. Numerous accusations from New York law enforcement always failed, Gotti got away with it for a long time. For this, the press nicknamed him "Teflon John". He received the nickname "Elegant Don" when he began to dress only in fashionable and stylish suits with expensive ties.

John Gotti has been the head of the Gambino family since 1985. During his "reign" this group was one of the most influential.

Source: wikipedia.org

5. Carlo Gambino (1902 - 1976)

It was Gambino who became the founder of the above-mentioned and one of the most influential families in criminal America. After taking control of a number of highly profitable areas, including illegal bootlegging, the state port and the airport, the Gambino family became the most powerful of the five families.

Carlo forbade his people from selling drugs, considering this type of business dangerous and attractive. public attention. At its peak, the Gambino family consisted of more than 40 groups and teams, and controlled New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.

Source: wikipedia.org

6. Meir Lansky (1902 - 1983)

Meir was born in Belarus, the city of Grodno. native of Russian Empire became the most influential person in the United States and one of the country's leaders in crime. He is the creator of the "National Crime Syndicate" and one of the progenitors of the gambling business in the states. He was also the biggest bootlegger.

Source: wikipedia.org

7. Joseph Bonanno (1905 - 2002)

Patriarch of the Bonanno family and one of the richest mobsters in history. The history of the reign of Joseph, who was called “Banana Joe”, has 30 years. At the end of this term, Bonanno voluntarily retired and lived in his personal huge mansion. Joe organized a crime family that is still active in the United States.

It has been operating in Sicily since the beginning of the 19th century, becoming at the beginning of the 20th century international organization. Initially, the organization was engaged in protecting the owners of orange plantations and nobles who own large plots of land, mainly from themselves. These were the beginnings of racketeering. Later, Cosa Nostra expanded its area of ​​activity, becoming a criminal gang in every way. Since the 20th century, banditry has become the main activity of Cosa Nostra.

2. Russian mafia

It is officially the most feared organized crime group in the world. Former FBI special agents call the Russian mafia "the most dangerous people on the ground". In the West, the term "Russian mafia" can mean any criminal organizations, both actually Russian and from other states of the post-Soviet space, or from the immigration environment in far abroad countries. Some get hierarchical tattoos, often use military tactics and perform contract killings.

3. Mexican mafia (La eMe)

This gang is an ally of the Aryan Brotherhood from the south coast of the United States. Known for her Active participation in the drug trade. Gang members are easily identified by a special tattoo in the form of a black hand located on the chest.

The Mexican mafia was created in the late 50s by members of a Mexican street gang incarcerated at the Dewell Prison, located in Trici, California. The founders of the gang were thirteen Mexican-Americans from East Los Angeles, several of whom were members of the Marawil gang. They called themselves Mexicanemi, which is translated from the Nahuatl language as "one who walks with God in his heart."

4 Yakuza

The Yakuza are organized crime syndicates in Japan, similar to the triad in other Asian countries or the Western mafia. Nonetheless, social organization and the features of the work of the yakuza are very different from others criminal gangs: they even have their own office buildings, and their actions are often and quite openly reported in the press.

One of the iconic images of the Yakuza is their intricate colored tattoos all over their bodies. The Yakuza use a traditional method of manually injecting ink under the skin, known as irezumi, a tattoo that serves as a kind of proof of courage, since this method is very painful.

5. Chinese Triad

The triad is a form of secret criminal organization in China and in the Chinese diaspora. Triads have always been characterized by common beliefs (belief in the mystical meaning of the number 3, hence their name). At present, the triads are known mainly as mafia-type criminal organizations prevalent in Taiwan, the United States and other centers of Chinese immigration, specializing in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

The Triad is one of the most patriotic mafias. During international events, militants guarantee the safety of foreigners, and during the outbreak of SARS they even announced a $1 million bonus to a doctor who finds a cure for this disease.

6. Hell's Angels (USA)

One of the largest motorcycle clubs in the world with its chapters (branches) all over the world. Included, along with Outlaws MC, Pagans MC and Bandidos MC, in the so-called "big four" outlaw clubs and is the most famous among them.

Law enforcement agencies in a number of countries call the club a “gang of motorcyclists” and are accused of drug trafficking, racketeering, trafficking in stolen goods, violence, murders, etc.

According to the legend posted on the official website of the motorcycle club, during the Second World War, and the US Air Force, there was the 303rd squadron heavy bombers with the name "Hell's Angels". After the end of the war and the disbandment of the unit, the pilots were left without work. They believe that their homeland betrayed them and left them to the mercy of fate. They had no choice but to go against their "cruel country, get on motorcycles, join motorcycle clubs and rebel."

7 Mara Salvatrucha

This mafia is engaged in many types of criminal business, including drug trafficking, weapons and people; robbery, racketeering, contract killings, kidnapping for ransom, pimping, car theft, money laundering and fraud.

Many street vendors and small shops located in the territories of Mara Salvatrucha pay the gang up to half of the income for the opportunity to work. Forced to pay MS-13 and many Salvadorans living in the United States, whose relatives, in case of refusal, the bandits will mutilate or kill in their homeland

8 Montreal Mafia Rizzuto

Rizzuto- crime family, which is primarily based in Montreal but runs the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. They once merged with families in New York, which eventually led to the mafia wars in Montreal in the late 70s. Rizzuto owns hundreds of millions of dollars of real estate in different countries. They own hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, construction, food, service and trading companies. In Italy, they own firms for the production of furniture and Italian delicacies.

9. Mungiki (Kenya)

This is a Kenyan banned (since 2002) politico-religious group resurrecting traditional African religion. Born in the wake of the Mau Mau uprising. Gained notoriety in connection with the massacres and clashes with the police.

Mungiki considers itself a religious group that advocates the preservation of the traditional "African way of worship, culture and way of life." Its adherents pray with their faces turned towards Mount Kenya. They also practice vows and sacrifices.

The general idea of ​​fighting against the government or the laws, money laundering or drug trafficking, the desire for violence, sadism - all these factors collect people into separate groups. It is not uncommon for such groups to grow into the most dangerous and violent gangs.

From numerous films, we are used to thinking that the Sicilian mafia or the Yakuza are the most widespread and cruel groups. But people from unfavorable areas of Latin America, notorious scumbags from the African continent and lawless criminals from the criminal districts of the United States have long outdone the "cinema" gangsters. The number of murders and violence, the inventive cruelty and mass character of many gangs are not at all like the "old mafia" with their ideas, laws and principles.

18th street gang

The rating of the most violent gangs is opened by a street gang from Los Angeles. Murder, violence, drug trafficking - the main activity of the criminal brigade, which has more than 70,000 people in its ranks. Five years ago, 18th Street reports were reporting daily murders in the Los Angeles counties.

Ethnic organized crime group from the 90s. Almost the entire gambling business in Moscow was under the control of the mafia. Laundering unthinkable amounts of money, brutal reprisals against competitors and those who got in the way. Having seized control of more than 200 banks in the country, they supplied gangster formations with weapons and money. In Russia, the gang lasted only eight years, but in some countries members of the organized crime group still subjugate the oil market, the banking sector, and construction.

Wah Ching

Chinese American street gang. From the usual gang of petty offenders in San Francisco, seventy thousandth army of thugs has grown in seven years. Constant showdowns with other clans, crime and murder. In the 90s, the FBI discovered the underground warehouses of the gang, where weapons and explosives were made.

Bloods

A gang also based in Los Angeles. Received development as a competitor to the Crips criminal group. The gang is known not only for brutal reprisals against rivals and the drug mafia, it has created a separate culture with its own alphabet, slang language, dance style. Some famous rappers come from the group.

Jamaican Posse

A group from the island of Jamaica, created under the protection of the government, is known for its sophisticated methods of murder. Any improvised means often became a tool for reprisal - a shovel, an iron, an ax. The gang has several of its "teams" in Latin America and the United States.

Area Boys

Once created by a bunch of teenagers, a gang of extortionists from Nigeria has grown into a well-organized criminal group known for its kidnappings, extortion and murders. failure to local authorities interfere with the activities of the gang, only replenishes its ranks and strengthens influence throughout the country.

The main troublemakers of Brazilian streets. The creation of the gang was the unjust oppression of prisoners in the country's prisons. Numerous fights with law enforcement, kidnapping of people, including tourists, drug trafficking - the main business of the group. In 2001, a mass uprising in prisons, escapes and devastation in the cities of Brazil led to 150 innocent victims.

Aryan Brotherhood (Aryan Brotherhood)

The constant harassment of white prisoners in US prisons gave impetus to the need to create their own clan. Forty years ago, a group of white men in a California prison announced their fraternity. Today it is the most powerful and cruel movement. If you want to join the team, you need to kill someone. Fifteen thousandth gang of thugs, scattered throughout the prisons of the United States, consisting mainly of those who have life imprisonment. There are no laws or principles for them.

Los Zetas

Location - Mexico. Under the leadership of one of the most famous drug lords in Mexico, a cartel was created from a professional team of mercenaries, former soldiers army, police officers. The Los Zetas cartel is known for its brutal fight against competitors, as well as numerous massacres of innocent people. Terrible torture, dismemberment of corpses, mass graves - all this is on account of the Mexican gang.

For more than a hundred years, an organization with a list of moral and ethical rules has grown into a gangster structure, brutally cracking down on those who stand in their way. Bribery of officials and control of business, destruction of competitors and ruthless reprisals against the families of enemies, all this led to thousands of victims. The Sicilian mafia, and later the American, became popular all over the world after the movie "The Godfather".

An organized network of bandit units. The number of people who have joined the ranks of the Yakuza throughout Japan exceeds 120 thousand people. The official location of the headquarters and their own establishments with symbols speaks of their "roof" from the authorities. Distinctive feature gangs - a code of honor, compliance with internal laws and unquestioning obedience to the boss. The criminal organization has its gangster branches in South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, USA. Controls the gambling business, the porn industry, the banking sector. Engaged in the sale of people, including for the purpose of prostitution, drug trafficking, kidnapping. The gang is known for its sophisticated methods of punishing those who do not agree to obey them.

Triad

The largest association of bandits (over 2.5 million). The triad is distributed throughout the territory Asian world. Gang members do absolutely everything - business control, contract killings, selling people, drug dealing, auto theft. Members of the group, who are in power structures, make it possible to commit crimes with impunity. The Triad has one of the system's best disguises: secret callsigns, mutually identifying gestures and signs. The popularity of the gang was brought by the disappearance of people who refused to obey them without a trace.

Crips

The top three finalists are opened by a gang organized by 16-year-old black teenagers in Los Angeles. After 6 years, the group has grown significantly and spread throughout America. Petty hooliganism, beating passers-by, fighting competitors, arson, theft, robbery, kidnapping, violence - the gang has more than a thousand all kinds of crimes. Having overcome the number of participants in 50 thousand people, mostly people from African countries, the organization poses a serious danger to the inhabitants of the United States.

Mungiki

These thugs from Kenya can hardly be called an organized gang. The number of these scumbags has reached 500 thousand. A distinctive feature of the group is brutal showdowns with chopping off heads, massacres with huge knives, and mass fights.

Make a request in any search engine for the most violent gang, the clear winner is the MS-13 gang. These most dangerous, bloodthirsty and merciless members of the group live in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, USA. The US government calls the Salvatrucha organization the most dangerous organization after al-Qaeda. Almost every one of the 300 thousand members of the group participated in violence, brutal reprisals, and abduction. The gang makes huge profits from the drug trade and the sale of weapons to the countries of the Middle East, including to terrorist organizations.

In tenth place are immigrants from Jamaica in Britain who moved to England in the 50s. This ethnic group controls a fair share of arms and drug trafficking operations. This mafia does not try to infiltrate government structures, therefore it is not as strong as the rest. The British police are hesitant to classify Yardie gangs as organized crime because they have no real structure or central leadership.

9 Albanian mafia

Albania is made up of numerous criminal gangs. Their rules have remained unchanged since the 15th century ... The Albanian mafia is involved in the trade in white slaves, alcohol and tobacco, controls prostitution, car theft and racketeering. She began her "activities" in the 80s of the last century. Widely represented in the US and UK. Distinctive feature is the brutality used in acts of revenge.

8. Serbian mafia

The Serbian mafia has found its place in the ranks of the leaders, as it operates in dozens of countries around the world and is associated with drug smuggling, contract killings, racketeering, robberies, control of rates and gambling houses. Interpol lists about 350 Serbian citizens, who are often employees and leaders of the largest drug cartels in the world. Serbian gangsters are also known for intellectual heists, which often play out Hollywood scenarios, as well as quick and clean executions. Currently there are about 30-40 groups working in Serbia.

7 Israeli Mafia

These guys work in the field of banditry in many countries, the main occupation is drug trafficking and prostitution. Times have changed, and if earlier they were once looked at with reverence because of their ability to protect, today it is ruthless killers not long thinking before pulling the trigger. The Russian-Israeli mafia has gained a foothold in political system The United States is so good that even the vaunted American army cannot knock them out of there.

6. Mexican mafia

The Mexican mafia is a powerful criminal structure in the United States, rooted in the prison world. It originated in the 50s, was positioned as the protection of Mexicans in US prisons from other criminals and prison guards. The main activities are extortion and drug trafficking. They are prone to quick reprisals against those who are objectionable and who do not pay them the tax they themselves have established.

5. Japanese yakuza

The Japanese mafia proudly traces its lineage to impoverished samurai nobles, or ronin as they were called in Japan. The heirs of noble fathers with many children, who sometimes had nothing but a sword, they inherited only the right to wear a sword and even comb their hair like a samurai: shave their forehead and crown, long hair from the back of the head, braid into a tight pigtail and stick on the bluish scalp. Although the Japanese mafia is known throughout the world, in Everyday life it is difficult to spot it at once in the local cities. Meanwhile, the Japanese mafia has one hundred and ten thousand people, while the noisy and violent American - only twenty thousand. Considering that the US population is about twice that of the Japanese, it is not difficult to calculate that for every Japanese there are eleven times more professional rapists, robbers and murderers than an American. Areas of activity: racketeering, distribution of prohibited pornography from Europe and America, prostitution and illegal emigration.

4. Chinese triads

That rapidly growing China is rapidly becoming a leader global development are spoken all over the world today. But there are also negative aspects of this process. As China's leading position in global economy Chinese organized crime will rapidly expand its presence in transnational criminal relations. "Triads" have already staged a "third world war" for their competitors! "Riding" the migration processes, the mafia structures of China and the Chinese mafia in other countries have taken a leading position in organizing human trafficking and establishing flows of illegal migration. The Europol report (June 2006) noted that Chinese mafia groups were named leaders in human trafficking in countries European Union. Chinese "triads" have pushed home-grown mafia in Japan - the yakuza: the Chinese account for about half of all crimes committed by foreigners.

3 Colombian drug cartels

The Colombian mafia is one of the world's largest suppliers of cocaine. All efforts public authorities still remain futile, as the business of the bandits is more than successful. The Colombian drug mafia has existed since the mid-60s of the last century. The Medellin and Cali cartels quickly became the world's leading producers of cocaine.

2. Sicilian and American Cosa Nostra

Members of the Sicilian mafia (left to right), Salvatore Lo Bue, Salvatore Lo Cicero, Gaetano Lo Presti, Giuseppe Scaduto, Antonino Spera, Gregorio Agrigento, Luigi Caravello, Mariano Troia, Giovanni Adelfio and Francesco Bonomo Sicily was constantly robbed not only by Algerian pirates, but also by detachments of French mercenaries who served the northern Italian dukes and princes. The organized armed struggle of the islanders against the French began in 1282 under the slogan "Morete alla Francia, Italia anela" ("Die, France - breathe, Italy"); from the first letters of the call, the Sicilians made up a battle cry: "Mafia!". Soon, self-defense units turned into units of professional fighters, who began to take tribute from the peasants for protection from external enemies. In the 19th century the mafia that became unified system, even tried to separate the island from Italy and offered an alliance to Giuseppe Garibaldi, but the troops of the Principality of Piedmont defeated her. AT late XIX in. thousands of Sicilians, fleeing poverty and clan wars, moved to America. AT major cities The United States arose Cosa Nostra ("Our cause") - a network of Sicilian "families" that controlled casinos, smuggling, prostitution, illegal traffic alcohol, tobacco and weapons, as well as racketeering. All the "consorteries" of Sicily constitute a "venerable community" headed by Capo di tutti Capi, head of all chapters. Important figures in the structure of the mafia are also picciotti di ficatu (assassins), stopalieri (bodyguards), gabellotti (judges) and consiglieri (advisers).

1. Russian mafia

The Russian mafia has 500,000 people. Her godfathers control 70% of the Russian economy, as well as prostitution in Macau and China, drug trafficking in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, money laundering in Cyprus, Israel, Belgium and England, car theft, trade nuclear materials and prostitution in Germany. With the disappearance of the Iron Curtain, the expansion of Russian crime has ceased to be controlled and directed, as it was before the collapse of the USSR. The first wave of "export" of crime from the territory, then still the USSR, took place in the early 70s, when Soviet Jews were allowed to leave for Israel. This wave was incomparable with the second - when, with the collapse of the USSR, " iron curtain". Then the world, indeed, estimated the size of Russian crime, which he called the "Russian mafia." Russian criminal communities sometimes expressed very specific interests in different countries of the world. So, in December 1993, the Western press first mentioned that groups were “shaking” Russian hockey players playing in foreign clubs, the so-called “legionnaires”. The mass of materials on this subject in the press in subsequent years indicated that the "sports racket" had acquired a truly industrial scale. According to some reports, now the Russian criminal community operates in 50 countries around the world. According to the American professor Louise Shelley, since 1991 the ROP has exported 150 billion dollars from the Russian Federation. According to other sources - 50 billion dollars, but also a lot.

It has been operating in Sicily since the beginning of the 19th century, turning into an international organization at the beginning of the 20th century. Initially, the organization was engaged in protecting the owners of orange plantations and nobles who own large plots of land, mainly from themselves. These were the beginnings of racketeering. Later, Cosa Nostra expanded its area of ​​activity, becoming a criminal gang in every way. Since the 20th century, banditry has become the main activity of Cosa Nostra.

2. Russian mafia

It is officially the most feared organized crime group in the world. Former FBI special agents call the Russian mafia "the most dangerous people on Earth." In the West, the term "Russian mafia" can mean any criminal organization, both Russian itself and from other states of the post-Soviet space, or from the immigration environment in the far abroad. Some get hierarchical tattoos, often use military tactics and perform contract killings.

3. Mexican mafia (La eMe)

This gang is an ally of the Aryan Brotherhood from the south coast of the United States. Known for her active involvement in the drug trade. Gang members are easily identified by a special tattoo in the form of a black hand located on the chest.

The Mexican mafia was created in the late 50s by members of a Mexican street gang incarcerated at the Dewell Prison, located in Trici, California. The founders of the gang were thirteen Mexican-Americans from East Los Angeles, several of whom were members of the Marawil gang. They called themselves Mexicanemi, which is translated from the Nahuatl language as "one who walks with God in his heart."

4 Yakuza

The Yakuza are organized crime syndicates in Japan, similar to the triad in other Asian countries or the Western mafia. However, the social organization and work patterns of the yakuza are very different from other criminal gangs: they even have their own office buildings, and their actions are often and quite openly reported in the press.

One of the iconic images of the Yakuza is their intricate colored tattoos all over their bodies. The Yakuza use a traditional method of manually injecting ink under the skin, known as irezumi, a tattoo that serves as a kind of proof of courage, since this method is very painful.

5. Chinese Triad

The triad is a form of secret criminal organization in China and in the Chinese diaspora. Triads have always been characterized by common beliefs (belief in the mystical meaning of the number 3, hence their name). At present, the triads are known mainly as mafia-type criminal organizations prevalent in Taiwan, the United States and other centers of Chinese immigration, specializing in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

The Triad is one of the most patriotic mafias. During international events, militants guarantee the safety of foreigners, and during the outbreak of SARS they even announced a $1 million bonus to a doctor who finds a cure for this disease.

6. Hell's Angels (USA)

One of the largest motorcycle clubs in the world with its chapters (branches) all over the world. Included, along with Outlaws MC, Pagans MC and Bandidos MC, in the so-called "big four" outlaw clubs and is the most famous among them.

Law enforcement agencies in a number of countries call the club a “gang of motorcyclists” and are accused of drug trafficking, racketeering, trafficking in stolen goods, violence, murders, etc.

According to the legend posted on the official website of the motorcycle club, during the Second World War, and the US Air Force, there was the 303rd heavy bomber squadron with the name "Hell's Angels". After the end of the war and the disbandment of the unit, the pilots were left without work. They believe that their homeland betrayed them and left them to the mercy of fate. They had no choice but to go against their "cruel country, get on motorcycles, join motorcycle clubs and rebel."

7 Mara Salvatrucha

This mafia is engaged in many types of criminal business, including drug trafficking, weapons and people; robbery, racketeering, contract killings, kidnapping for ransom, pimping, car theft, money laundering and fraud.

Many street vendors and small shops located in the territories of Mara Salvatrucha pay the gang up to half of the income for the opportunity to work. Forced to pay MS-13 and many Salvadorans living in the United States, whose relatives, in case of refusal, the bandits will mutilate or kill in their homeland

8 Montreal Mafia Rizzuto

The Rizzuto are a crime family primarily based in Montreal but running the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. They once merged with families in New York, which eventually led to the mafia wars in Montreal in the late 70s. Rizzuto owns hundreds of millions of dollars of real estate in different countries. They own hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, construction, food, service and trading companies. In Italy, they own firms for the production of furniture and Italian delicacies.

9. Mungiki (Kenya)

This is a Kenyan banned (since 2002) politico-religious group resurrecting traditional African religion. Born in the wake of the Mau Mau uprising. Gained notoriety in connection with the massacres and clashes with the police.

Mungiki considers itself a religious group that advocates the preservation of the traditional "African way of worship, culture and way of life." Its adherents pray with their faces turned towards Mount Kenya. They also practice vows and sacrifices.