Saturday, December 23, 2006
Sicily
I have just started reading 'The Sicilian' by Mario Puzo.
Capital Palermo. Population 5 million. Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily has been noted for two millenia as a grain-producing territory. Oranges, olives, and wine are among its other agricultural products. Famous composer Alessandro Scarlatti was Sicilian. Prominent folk art tradition, which draws heavily from the island's Norman influence - donkey carts are painted with intricate decorations of scenes from the Norman romantic poems.
Archimedes was from Sicily. The organized crime networks commonly known as the mafia extended their influence in the late 19th century (and many of its operative also emigrated to other countries, particularly the United States); partly suppressed under the Fascist regime beginning in the 1920s, they recovered following the World War II Allied invasion of Sicily.
Originating during the mid 19th century, the Mafia served as protection for the large orange and lemon estates surrounding the city of Palermo. From this, the Mafia began to spread its roots among the landowners and politicians of Sicily. Forming strong links with the government (it is more than likely that many politicians were members or collaborators) the mafia gained significant power.
According to many Sicilians, the real name of the Mafia is Cosa Nostra, meaning 'our world, tradition, values'. Sicily and Sicilian mafia traditions were graphically described in 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo. Many Sicilians are bilingual in both Italian and Sicilian, a separate Romance language, with Greek, Arabic, Catalan and Spanish influence. It is important to note that Sicilian is not a derivative of Italian.
Although thought by some to be a dialect, Sicilianu is a distinct language, with a rich history and an sizable vocabulary, due to the influence of the different conquerors of, and settlers to this land. With the predominance of Italian in Italian schools, the media, etc., Sicilian is no longer the first language of many Sicilians. Indeed, in urban centres in particular, one is more likely to hear standard Italian spoken rather than Italian, especially among the young.
Capital Palermo. Population 5 million. Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily has been noted for two millenia as a grain-producing territory. Oranges, olives, and wine are among its other agricultural products. Famous composer Alessandro Scarlatti was Sicilian. Prominent folk art tradition, which draws heavily from the island's Norman influence - donkey carts are painted with intricate decorations of scenes from the Norman romantic poems.
Archimedes was from Sicily. The organized crime networks commonly known as the mafia extended their influence in the late 19th century (and many of its operative also emigrated to other countries, particularly the United States); partly suppressed under the Fascist regime beginning in the 1920s, they recovered following the World War II Allied invasion of Sicily.
Originating during the mid 19th century, the Mafia served as protection for the large orange and lemon estates surrounding the city of Palermo. From this, the Mafia began to spread its roots among the landowners and politicians of Sicily. Forming strong links with the government (it is more than likely that many politicians were members or collaborators) the mafia gained significant power.
According to many Sicilians, the real name of the Mafia is Cosa Nostra, meaning 'our world, tradition, values'. Sicily and Sicilian mafia traditions were graphically described in 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo. Many Sicilians are bilingual in both Italian and Sicilian, a separate Romance language, with Greek, Arabic, Catalan and Spanish influence. It is important to note that Sicilian is not a derivative of Italian.
Although thought by some to be a dialect, Sicilianu is a distinct language, with a rich history and an sizable vocabulary, due to the influence of the different conquerors of, and settlers to this land. With the predominance of Italian in Italian schools, the media, etc., Sicilian is no longer the first language of many Sicilians. Indeed, in urban centres in particular, one is more likely to hear standard Italian spoken rather than Italian, especially among the young.
