Hogwarts is not the only school for witchcraft and wizardry!
[toggler title=”TL;DR” ]J.K. Rowling reveals that there are 11 prestigious Wizarding schools worldwide on the Pottermore website, and delivers detailed descriptions of the cultures and pracitses of the different schools – some of which are based in places such as Japan, Africa, Brazil and the Pyrenees.[/toggler]
[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap]s part of the celebration of Harry Potter – which is an event held in Orlando Resort, Florida – J.K. Rowling revealed that there are ‘eleven long-established prestigious Wizarding schools worldwide’ on Pottermore this week.
Giving in-depth details about some of the schools in her usual polished, magical prose, Rowling gave us insight into how differing cultures across the world educate and expand on their magical practises in comparison to Hogwarts.
So how’s about we pull up a chair – grab a cup of tea or coffee – and take a look at some of these international schools for witchcraft and wizardry?
Starting off with Mahoutokoro, the ‘ancient’ Japanese wizarding school, Rowling explains the customs of the Japanese when it comes to magic, and gives us a dreamy description of the educational institute’s location:
The ornate and exquisite palace of Mahoutokoro is made of mutton-fat jade, and stands on the topmost point of the ‘uninhabited’ (or so Muggles think) Volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima.
Children are said to be flown back and forth to school on ‘giant Storm petrels,’ and are presented with ‘enchanted robes’ that start off in ‘faint pink’ shade, and change colour depending on their school performance (with gold being obtained by the highest achieving students).
White is, however, a different story altogether:
If the robes turn white, this is an indication that the student has betrayed the Japanese wizard’s code and adopted illegal practices (which in Europe we call ‘Dark’ magic) or broken the International Statute of Secrecy. To ‘turn white’ is a terrible disgrace, which results in instant expulsion from the school and trial at the Japanese Ministry for Magic.
It’s so easy to imagine Hermione decked in a gold robe, and Draco Malfoy eventually going white, isn’t it?
Mahoutokoro is known for its prowess in Quidditch, and every member of the Quidditch team owes their success to the ‘gruelling’ training of the academy. Watch out, Harry! A snitch might not save you when you’re up against the Japanese champions league known as the Toyohashi Tengu!
Another school Rowling writes about is in Africa, and is known as Uagadou, with yet another wistful location:
The only address ever given is ‘Mountains of the Moon’; visitors speak of a stunning edifice carved out of the mountainside and shrouded in mist, so that it sometimes appears simply to float in mid-air.
The students there are especially ‘well versed in Astronomy, Alchemy and Self-Transfiguration,’ and many of their spells are ‘cast simply by pointing the finger or through hand gestures.’ You can imagine that must cause some hiccups from time to time!
Most interestingly of all, Ugadou doesn’t just send out your run-of-the-mill letter to new students:
Students receive notice that they have gained entrance at Uagadou from Dream Messengers, sent by the headmaster or headmistress of the day. The Dream Messenger will appear to the children as they sleep and will leave a token, usually an inscribed stone, which is found in the child’s hand on waking. No other school employs this method of pupil selection.
Personally, I’m still dreaming about getting the letter!
Castelobruxo is a Wizarding school in Brazil, which ‘may be found hidden deep within the rainforest,’ and comes in the shape of a ‘fabulous castle’ that ‘appears to be a ruin to the few Muggle eyes that have ever fallen upon it.’
Castelobruxo is an imposing square edifice of golden rock, often compared to a temple.
Castelobruxo students are said excel in Magizoology and herbology.
Other schools include Beauxbatons Academy of Magic found in the Pyrenees, Durmstrang Institute (known for its dark reputation and secrecy), and Ilvermorny.
All of the schools sound positively spellbinding, don’t they?
Be sure to check out more about these schools (and read more of Rowling’s enchanting descriptions) here.
