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Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
omertà
  • Introduction & Top Questions
  • Etymology and conceptual evolution
  • Historical origin
  • Notable pentiti: Figures who broke omertà
    • Joseph Valachi
    • Tommaso Buscetta
    • Lea Garofalo
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Black-and-white image of underworld informant Joseph Valachi taking the oath as he begins his testimony in an open session before the Senate Investigations Subcommittee. Black and white photo of former Palermo, Sicily, Mafia boss Tommaso Buscetta adjusting his sunglasses as he arrives at a fortified courtroom at Rebibbia jail on October 27 for interrogation by Palermo magistrates. People march in a city street holding placards with a black and white portrait of Lea Garofalo and the words Lea Vive during an anti-mafia demonstration in Milan, Italy.
Related Questions
  • What is omertà?
  • What happens to those who break omertà?
  • What historical factors contributed to the development of omertà?
  • What role did Tommaso Buscetta play in fighting the Mafia?

omertà: References & Edit History

More Articles On This Topic

  • Mafia
    / Origins and early history
  • Sicilian Mafia

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Urnesha Bhattacherjee
    Associate Editor, Britannica India

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
New article added.
  • Urnesha Bhattacherjee
May 13, 2026
View Changes:
Article History
Revised:
By:
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