The Norteños, also Norte, are affiliated with Nuestra Familia (Our Family), a coalition of traditional Latino gangs in Northern California. A member of these gangs is a Norteño (male) or Norteña (female); based on Spanish usage. In the late 1960s, Mexican-American inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Norteños (northerners) and Sureños (southerners), according to the locations of their hometowns; the north-south dividing line was near Bakersfield. Part of the motivation for the split was the desire of the Norteños to be independent of "La Eme” a.k.a. the Mexican Mafia. As with many other gangs, Norteños have been involved in trafficking of drugs and contraband, and armed conflict with other gangs and with police. According to police investigators, a requirement for full membership in Nuestra Familia is committing at least one murder for the gang. Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate the group, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s.
In 2000 and 2001, 22 members were indicted on racketeering charges, including several who were allegedly serving as high-ranking gang leaders while confined in Pelican Bay. Thirteen of the defendants pleaded guilty; the other cases are still ongoing. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade. The largest of the federal investigations, Operation Black Widow, caused controversy when it became public that some gang members were serving as FBI informants while still continuing to organize violent crimes. Norteño emblems and clothing are based on the color red. A typical Norteño outfit might include a red belt, red shoes, and red shoelaces. They will also favor sports team apparel that shows their affiliation through symbolism such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers football, UNLV, K-Swiss, and San Francisco 49ers. Norteños may refer to each other by using the term "Ene,” Spanish for the letter "N.” Norteños use the number 14 in tattoos and graffiti because "N" is the fourteenth letter of the alphabet. It is sometimes written as "X4” or in Roman numerals as "XIV". Some Norteños will tattoo themselves with four dots. Norteño derogatorily refers to a Sureño as a "Scrap" or "Sur (Sewer) Rat,” while a Sureño will likewise refer to a Norteño as a "Buster" or "Chap" (Chapete). Norteños also lay claim to images of the Mexican-American labor movement, such as the sombrero, machete, and "Huelga bird,” symbols of the United Farm Workers.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ December 29, 2009
Get the Norteños mug.nortenos meaning "northeners" are a california mexican gang found in northern california such as oakland. They wear red and thier main enemies are the surenos they also feud with other mexican gangs such as the border brothers. they go under the number 14
by knowledgeman8901 September 30, 2009
Get the nortenos mug.Individual that is born and raised in Northern California,of Aztec Descent,Chicanos,XiVers, 14,MI•VIDA•MAS•LOCA•ENE, ENGLISH speaking clean cut Nuestra Milita Family Structure that controls Northern California.
by Lazie Locs Gabriel Palmas IV April 29, 2020
Get the Nortenos mug.A gang that made up of mexicans that represent the north. They are similar to bloods and are enemies of surenos.
by 100% CHICANO October 4, 2005
Get the nortenos mug.Bakersfield Nortenos: refer to subsets of the Norteño gangs or members operating in Bakersfield, California. These groups are affiliated with Nuestra Familia, a prominent prison gang. Traditionally, the borderline location between the Nortenos, and Surano gang territories is Bakersfield California. Bakersfield Norteno history tied to the Nuestra Familia, Bakersfield norteno roots trace back to the Correctional Training Facility a prison in Soledad CA, back in 1965. The gang formed as a protective alliance for rural northern hispanic inmates facing extortion and violence from the Mexican Mafia.
Gonzalo "Chalo" Hernandez, of Bakersfield, was a original member and co-founder of Nuestra Familia, and later became head of the NF organization. Rodolfo "Cheyenne" Cadena, was a prominent Mexican Mafia member from "Varrio Viejo gang." In early 1971, Chalo and Cheyenne forged an "La EME-NF" truce, which lasted around 6 months. Chalo was also, head of the "Varrio Jokers" street gang.
Gonzalo "Chalo" Hernandez, of Bakersfield, was a original member and co-founder of Nuestra Familia, and later became head of the NF organization. Rodolfo "Cheyenne" Cadena, was a prominent Mexican Mafia member from "Varrio Viejo gang." In early 1971, Chalo and Cheyenne forged an "La EME-NF" truce, which lasted around 6 months. Chalo was also, head of the "Varrio Jokers" street gang.
by Bakersfield History 101 February 6, 2026
Get the Bakersfield Nortenos mug.Bakersfield Nortenos: are subsets of the Norteño gang operating in Bakersfield, California, affiliated with Nuestra Familia, a prominent prison gang. They're involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and violent crimes. Traditionally, Bakersfield's is the original location, the boarderline between the Northern and Southern California hispanic gangs.
by Bakersfield History 101 February 8, 2026
Get the Bakersfield Nortenos mug.Norteño is what they call Tex-Mex south of the border. Norteño songs, or "corridos," are named for the ballads about 19th century battles between the U.S. and Mexico. The music's origins are as mongrel as can be: mazurkas, waltzes and even a central European dance called the schottische all contributed to its distinctive sound. With the addition of the accordion (and polka influences), modern Norteno was born; today it's marked by nasal singing, accordion flourishes and streetwise lyrics that celebrate the deeds of the little guy: petty criminals, down-and-outers, people fighting the ubiquitous "system." Unlike most regional styles, Norteño is popular throughout Mexico.
Norteño Music: Espinoza Paz, El Trono De Mexico, Alicia Villarreal, Chalino Sanchez, Conjunto Primavera, Grupo Limite, Intocable, Julio Preciado y Su Banda Perla De Pacifico, La Mafia, Los Huracanes Del Norte, Los Invasores De Nuevo Leon, Los Tigres Del Norte, Los Traileros Del Norte, Los Tucanes De Tijuana, Luis y Julian, Tony De La Rosa, Jenni Rivera
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ October 6, 2009
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