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Mafia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Mafia is a secret group of criminals that started in Italy over 200 years ago. This group makes a lot of money from activities that are against the law. They earn billions of dollars every year from things like selling forbidden goods, making money from illegal activities look clean, stealing, and illegal gambling.

What Does "Mafia" Mean?

The word "Mafia" has an interesting history. One of the first times it was written down, it was used to describe people who were very bold, ambitious, or proud. Some people even thought it meant something like a powerful, perhaps rebellious, woman.

Many people also think the word "Mafia" was influenced by the Arabic language. This happened when Arabs controlled the island of Sicily in Italy, a long time ago around 846 AD. An Arabic word, 'Mahias', means 'bold man'. It's believed that this word helped form the modern term "Mafia," which still suggests a bold and strong nature.

Images for kids

  • John Gotti

    John Gotti arrested before his sentence in 1990. He was a senior mafia member.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mafia para niños

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Mafia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.