The Night of Two Candles
Regime of 1987
“Two brothers stood watch until dawn so the rest could sleep. Neither spoke of it again — the Family only learned of it decades later.”
Founded February 8, 1983
History Records & Mob Tales
Forty-five years of loyalty, discretion and honour — recorded so that no regime is forgotten and no brother's story is lost.
The Timeline
Forty-Five Years of Heritage
1983
The Founding
Astra Castra is founded on February 8, 1983 by a small circle of brothers bound by loyalty, discretion and honour.
1985
First Regime Expansion
The first full regime is initiated. The bowler hat and rose become the enduring emblems of the Family.
1991
The Charter of Conduct
Elders codify the Family charter — Honour Thy Father, Amici di Amici — still recited at every gathering.
1998
Diaspora Chapters
Brothers abroad form the first overseas chapters, carrying the crest to three continents.
2008
Silver Jubilee
Twenty-five years marked with the first Homecoming, hosted in the heartland of the South East.
2018
The Records Office
Mob Tales, photographs and regime records are formally archived so no brother's story is lost.
2028
Astra Castra @ 45
Forty-five years later, the Family comes home to Anambra State under Chief Host Don Black Serpent.
Mob Tales
Stories Kept by the Family
Passed brother to brother, now written down. Send yours to the Records Office for the anniversary brochure.
The Bowler in the Rain
Regime of 1994
“A hat passed hand to hand across three cities to reach an initiation that could not be postponed. It arrived dry.”
Roses at the Gate
Regime of 2001
“When an elder was buried, forty-five roses were laid without a word spoken. One for each year the Family had then counted.”
Amici di Amici
Regime of 2011
“A brother stranded overseas was housed for six months by a Ciao he had never met. Friends of friends are friends.”
Hold a story or a photograph?
The Records Office is compiling forty-five years of archive material for the anniversary brochure. Bring your tale to the Homecoming, or send it ahead through the News & Brochure page.