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New Writing By Rowling Reveals Four International Wizarding Schools

By Ani Bundel

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J.K. Rowling releases new writing on Pottermore in which the names and locations of four wizarding schools are revealed, including the countries of Brazil (Castelobruxo), Japan (Mahoutokoro), and the continents of Africa (Uagadou) and North America (Ilvermorny.)

It’s here! It’s here! The big reveal Pottermore has been promising for the Harry Potter Celebration weekend is here. I expected a single news article, focused on the American Wizarding School, the same way the MACUSA was revealed as part of the run up to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and maybe something exclusive for those gathered in Orlando. But this is so much more. First up, we learned the name of the “North American Wizarding School,” Ilvermorny. (Yes, there’s only one recognized academy, and moreover it seems that it serves not only the US, but the entire North American continent, including Canada and Mexico.) But we also learned the names of three other Wizarding Academies. The South American Wizarding School, Castelobruxo, is located in Brazil. In Japan, students attend Mahoutokoro. And on the continent of Africa, the internationally recognized school is called Uagadou.

But the real treat is that Pottermore didn’t just drop this as a new announcement. All of the information about these school is coming to us via brand new writings by J.K. Rowling. Currently there are six of the seven articles up on the front page. Three are the newly revealed schools: Castelobruxo, Mahoutokoro and Uagadou. Two focus on the schools we knew already: Beauxbatons in France, and Durmstrang in Russia, and are probably only new to those who were unable to navigate the older version of Pottermore. There is also an introduction explaining that there are so few academies across the world because many Wizards choose to home school, or do correspondence courses. Apparently there are smaller schools, but only 11 are recognized internationally, and “registered with the International Confederation of Wizards,” which regulates their teachings.

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As for Ilvermorny, it looks like we’re going to have to wait a few hours, as the link is up, but the story has not yet been released.

So what have we learned about these recently revealed academies? Well, you’re going to have to go to Pottermore and read them yourself. But here are some highlights:

  • Mahoutokoro: Located on the Volcanic Island of Minami Iwo Jima, this Wizarding School is the smallest of the 11 International Academies. Because of that, they take students as young as age 7, and hold a day school for those from ages 7-10, along with the boarding school that serves ages 11-17. they also don’t have to buy new robes as they grown–their robes grow with their wearing, and change color as the student progresses through their education. These robes also serve as a signal to the teachers if the student betrays the Japanese Wizard’s Code. (How useful would that have been at Hogwarts when Tom Riddle first made a horcrux at 16?) Mahoutokoro also has a serious reputation in Quidditch.
  • Uagadou: Though drawn to look as if it is located in central Africa, Uagadou, the largest of the 11 International Academies, does not have an identified country location, and is described as seeming to “sometimes…float in mid-air.” Unlike European or Euro-descended Wizarding schools, wands were only adopted int he 20th century as a “useful tool,” and most students are taught to cast spells with their hands. The school also has a unique invitation system, where students are notified via “dream messengers.” No word on the school’s Quidditch prowess, but apparently their Synchronized Tranfiguration Team is something special to behold.
  • Castelobruxo: Hidden in the rainforests of Brazil, this Wizarding Academy serves the whole of the continent of South America. Like Hogwarts, if Muggles happen upon it, all they see is a ruin. The article also talks about a new Magical Creature readers have never heard of before: a Caipora, which is native to South America, and are described as “Small… furry spirit-beings…mischievous and tricky.” One wonders if Newt Scamander might make a study of them? Apparently their student exchange programs with the European Academies is a major draw.

And for the schools we already knew:

  • Beauxbatons: Though this school was originally introduced as the “French” academy in the books, this school, located in the Pyrenees takes students from all over Western Europe, including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium. As one might expect, the Eastern European countries to send their children to Durmstrang instead, which is why Grindelwald is a Durmstrang alum, not a Beauxbaton. The article lists out many of the Beauxbaton’s more famous alumni, as well as noting that both it and Durmstrang have much larger student bodies then their UK counterpart.
  • Durmstrang: The article here focuses on this poor Wizarding Academy’s less than savory reputation. Apparently this reputation of Dark Wizardy isn’t really fair, but comes from the school having had two headmasters with ties to the Dark Arts. The first of which, Harfang Munter, is also responsible for the school’s fearsome reputation in dueling. The second, Igor Karkaroff, as we all know, fled upon Voldemort’s return. But the real damage to the school’s reputation comes from famous alumni Gellert Grindelwald. The article assures us that since Karkaroff’s leavetaking, the school has worked on improving its reputation. Viktor Krum has been instrumental in that regard.

There is also a link to all Rowling’s writings on Hogwarts, for those who still love the original best, and believe that Hogwarts is our Home.

Next: Watch Rupert Grint and Matthew Lewis At the HP Celebration

We’ll post as soon as information about the North American Wizarding School is released.

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