Castelobruxo- Harry Potter Fan Project

[Warden]

So I came across this artwork a few weeks ago of the wizarding school of South America in the Harry Potter universe (artwork by Johanna Ruppreht):



And it immediately captured my imagination after I saw it. I have done a bit more musing since then (and researching various links about the topic) and have put most of my notes down here.

Spoiler: some reference links

A lot of the stuff I wrote here is made up by me, but draws heavily on these various sources.

• Artist Johanna Ruppreht's fantastic work
• Pottermore- Castelobruxo
• International Magic Schools
• From Reddit- Pottermore writings
• Harry Potter Compendium on Castelobruxo
• A few articles off the site Amino that I can't find anymore
  
• Also tv tropes

I am going to start by acknowledging the concept for this school is very trope heavy, specifically the Mayincatec and Latin Land tropes, as well as the Capitol of Brazil is in Buenos Aires. For the sake of what has already been published on this school, I am just going to go with it and add some new ideas about it. Granted these ideas are mostly from an outsider looking in, kinda like these tropes, who greatly admires ancient Mayan/Mesoamerican history but doesn’t know Spanish or Portuguese, or an overwhelming amount about Brazillian or indigenous Tupi culture.


- "The Brazilian school for magic, which takes students from all over South America, may be found hidden deep within the rainforest. The fabulous castle appears to be a ruin to the few Muggle eyes that have ever fallen upon it (a trick shared by Hogwarts; opinion is divided on who got the idea from whom). Castelobruxo is an imposing square edifice of golden rock, often compared to a temple. Both building and grounds are protected by the Caipora, small and furry spirit-beings who are extraordinarily mischievous and tricky, and who emerge under cover of night to watch over the students and the creatures who live in the forest. Former Castelobruxo Headmistress Benedita Dourado was once heard to laugh heartily, on an exchange visit to Hogwarts, when Headmaster Armando Dippet complained of Peeves the poltergeist. Her offer to send him some Caipora for the Forbidden Forest ‘to show you what trouble really is’ was not accepted."

- "Castelobruxo students wear bright green robes and are especially advanced in both Herbology and Magizoology; the school offers very popular exchange programmes for European students* who wish to study the magical flora and fauna of South America. Castelobruxo has produced a number of famous ex-students, including one of the world’s most famous potioneers, Libatius Borage (author of, among other works, Advanced Potion-Making, Asiatic Anti-Venoms and Have Yourself a Fiesta in a Bottle!), and João Coelho, Captain of the world-renowned Quidditch team the Tarapoto Tree- Skimmers."

- * "It was one of these trips that Bill Weasley’s parents could not afford, causing his disappointed penfriend at Castelobruxo to send him something nasty in the post."

 

[Warden]

School History- work in progress

• Pre-European- old name for school, Mayincatec influence and old native magic, philosophy of peace and learning between multicultural magic users
  
• Post-European- introduction of Latin magic influence, colonial dominance, potential issues with politics and government interference

Tribes of Castelobruxo (Houses)



Much like Hogwarts and other wizarding schools, the students of Castelobruxo are organized into distinct, multi-grade social and living groups called houses, known here as Tribes. Each of the six tribes is a thorough mixture across all nationalities present at the school; each has its own history, animal symbol and tribe mascot, and corresponding magical element that symbolizes the tribe. Each tribe also has its own set of values and virtues that it holds dear, alluded to in its tribe motto. Members of a tribe are inducted upon their arrival to the school at the start of the school year during a special ceremony: students are selected based on tasting the Umamiri, a magical fruit that has a different flavor depending on the personality of the person who tastes it. Each tribe lives in its own set of dormitories set in treehouses surrounding the castle, accessible only by travelling one of the enchanted jungle paths kept secret from each of the other houses.

• Papagois. If you tasted the sweet flavor, then the Papagaois Tribe is the tribe for you. They are the Tribe of Leaders, who value Wisdom and the “Power of Words,” as in their motto: O Poder da Palavra. As the Tribe most associated with the magical element of Air, their mascot is the rare Blue Macaw, and their lofty and illuminated tribal residence is known as The Canopy.

• Esmeraldas. If you taste the sour flavor, then the Esmeraldas will be your tribe. They value Empathy, and are known as the Tribe of Healers, associated with the magical element of Water. Their motto is O Poder Vital, the “Vital Force.” Their home is the beautiful residence known as The Vines, and their tribe is symbolized by the Emerald Tree Boa.

• Tartarugas. The bitter flavor, the Tartarugas value Criacao e Brilho, “Creation and Brilliance.” They are the Tribe of Builders, who enjoy the company of the most artistic and highly Creative students, and are associated with the magical element of Metal. The steadfast Snapping Turtle is their mascot, and their home in the mangrove forest is known as The Mangals.

• Tamanduas. The salty flavor, the Tamanduas are the Tribe of Warriors, symbolized by the valiant Tree Anteater. They value Sensatez e Firmez, “Prudence and Strength,” and value Loyalty and friendship above all. Their home is in the sheltered tree- residence called The Aborea.

• Macacos. If you tasted the savory flavor, then the Macacos are your tribe. The smallest but most energetic house, they are the Tribe of Jesters and are the O Coracao Alegre, the “Jovial Heart” of the student body. Their virtue is Joy, symbolized by their mascot the Howler Monkey, and their cheerful and lively residence is The Treetops.

• Oncas. Finally, those who taste the spicy flavor become members of the Oncas, the Tribe of Explorers and adventurers. They value Coragem e Previsao, “Bravery and Foresight,” and are known as the most Brave and selfless of the student body. Their elusive residence is The Broadleaf, and their mascot is the Stalking Jaguar.

 

[Warden]

Classes- TBP

Student Body

Since the earliest days of the school, the teachers, staff, and faculty have taken every effort to serve and teach their multicultural student body, helping them learn and grow from each other, promoting friendship and understanding while quashing bigotry and prejudice. This is symbolized in their motto, an old saying long since translated from its original Tupi into more modern Portuguese: O Sol Nasceu Para Todos, “The Sun Rises for Everybody.”

Student Body Size

​

Spoiler: First some math

• 7 years in class (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
  
• 6 tribes (Oncas, Esmerelda, Papagois, Tamanduas, Tartuga, Macaco)
  
• 30-40 students per Tribe class
  
• 35x4 (200-210 per year group); 200x7 (1400-1500 students enrolled)

Castelobruxo holds seven grades worth of students split between the size tribes. There are roughly 30-40 students per grade in each tribe, making a total of approximately 200 students per year group spread throughout the six tribes.

From this we can determine that the overall size of Castelobruxo student population is between 1400 and 1500 total students on any given year.


Student Body Countries of Origin.

Per the known lore, the school itself is located in Brazil, and student population of the school draws mostly from countries in the southern Western Hemisphere. The school also has an active exchange student population, mostly from the Western Hemisphere at large but also the rest of the Wizarding World.

Spoiler: Portuguese version

• 60%, ~900 students- Brazil (30%, ~450 students), Peru, Argentina, Venuzuela, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador
  
• 25%, ~370 students- Central America: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
  
• 10%, ~150 students- Carribbean- Jamaica, Barbados, Haiti, Cuba, Bermuda
  
• <5%, less than 70 students- Foreign Exchange Students- Portugal, Spain, United States and Puerto Rico, England, Australia, Lichtenstein, Romania, Greece, Egypt)
• Note this list is not all inclusive

Question: How students talk to each other? (Spanish versus Portuguese problem). Magical gemstones they wear around their necks? Blabberfish?


Pets

Students are permitted to bring a small pet with them when they attend Castelobruxo either as a companion or to serve other functions such as a mail carrier. Example pets include parrots, tree frogs, and chinchillas.

 

[Warden]

Magical Creatures- work in progress

Castelobruxo is known worldwide for its advanced courses in Magizoology. Many magical and mysterious creatures are known to live and haunt the grounds of the school and the surrounding jungle valley.

• Caipora- green skin, flame headed guardians of the forest, who guard the school and the surrounding jungles and castles; use spears, bows/arrows, and ride wild boars or tapirs, or accompanied by some other kind of wild jungle creature.

Spoiler: caipora