Mara Salvatrucha Gang Culture

There were so many cultures that stood out, but the one that was the most interesting was gang culture. There is one gang that I would like to talk about and that would be MS13 which is the Mara Salvatrucha. This is a combination of Mara, meaning gang, Salva, for Salvador, and trucha, meaning street smarts. The name also comes from peasants who fought in the 1980-1992 civil war that raged in El Salvador (The Sun). The gang members have many different ways they communicate with each other. The way they greet each other are by throwing up their gang sign. They have gang symbol they do with their hands for communication and identification (Gang Awareness Guide). The symbol used is called the devil’s head. It is called the devil’s head because when gestured, it looks like the “M” for Mara when turned upside town. The members of MS-13 also usually have many tattoos covering their body and even on their faces. The tattoos that they usually get are, “MS-13”, “MS", "Salvatrucha",

They use this sign language to protect themselves from other gangs or police. The sign language they use are also to identify yourself as a member of the gang. It can also be used to flash warnings real fast when there is a threat or if they are in trouble (Gang Gestures). Their body language is just as similar as other gang members. The body language is some sort of bounce that they add to when they walk (Body Language Dictionary). They also put their pants or shorts below their behind and also like to wear baggy clothes. The gang members act tough so they won't look weak. No gang would like anyone that is weak. Looking weak in a gang shows that you are not willing to do things that higher members tell you to do. For example, MS-13 has their members killing people and selling drugs. If you are not willing to do that, then you will be the one that is killed. It also shows that you would not be there for them if something bad were to