Unlike the Mafia, however, the Stidda was mostly rural and low-profile until the 1980s, when it became somewhat more expansionist and started moving into the cities, bringing the two Sicilian groups into competition with one another.
It differs from the Mafia by the fact that it is not based on an honor system but is interested only in criminal activities and the resulting profits.
[1] The Stidda came into public view when Cosa Nostra pentito Francesco Marino Mannoia spoke about it in 1989.
[1] The Stidda was particularly strong in southern Sicily around the towns of Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Gela, Vittoria, Niscemi and other smaller municipalities.
Older members use a needle and black and blue ink to carve a five-pointed star on the initiate's right hand between the thumb and index finger.