'Ndrina

The 'ndrina (Italian pronunciation: [ˈndriːna], plural: 'ndrine) is the basic unit of the 'Ndrangheta of Calabria, made up of blood relatives, and is the equivalent of the Sicilian Mafia’s "family" or cosca. The word derives from the Greek, meaning "a man who does not bend". Each 'ndrina is "autonomous on its territory and no formal authority stands above the 'ndrina boss." The 'ndrina is usually in control of a small town or a neighbourhood in larger cities, even outside Calabria, in cities and towns in the industrial North of Italy in and around Turin and Milan.

If more than one 'ndrina operates in the same town, they form a locale, the main local organizational unit of the 'Ndrangheta with jurisdiction over an entire town or an area in a large urban center. In some cases, sub- 'ndrine have been established. The 'ndrine enjoy a high degree of autonomy – they have a leader (the capobastone) and independent staff. In some contexts the 'ndrine have become more powerful than the locale on which they formally depend.