Uagadou is the Ugandan wizarding school, located atop the Mountains of the Moon in western Uganda.[1] It take students from all over Africa, and is the largest of the eleven wizarding schools.[2]
Location
The school was located in the Mountains of the Moon of Uganda.[1] Visitors spoke of a stunning edifice carved out of the mountainside and shrouded in mist, so that it sometimes appeared simply to float in mid-air.[2]
History
Uagadou was created at least a thousand years prior to the time of Harry Potter. Although a number of smaller schools were to be found in Africa, Uagadou stood the test of time and achieved an enviable international reputation.[2]
At an International Symposium of Animagi held in or around 2016, the Uagadou School Team attracted a lot of press when their exhibition of synchronised Animagus transformations caused a near riot. Many older and more experienced witches and wizards felt threatened by fourteen-year-olds who could turn at will into elephants and cheetahs, and a formal complaint was lodged with the International Confederation of Wizards by Adrian Tutley.[2]
A student from Uagadou once competed in the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship.[3]
Reputation
Uagadou students were skilled in Astronomy, Alchemy and Self-Transfiguration. Since wands were mostly a European invention, Uagadou students preferred and were able to cast spells by pointing the finger or through hand gestures, which gave them a sturdy line of defence when they were accused of breaking the International Statute of Secrecy.[2]
Recruitment
Students received notice that they have gained entrance at Uagadou from Dream Messengers, sent by the headmaster or headmistress of the day. The Dream Messenger would appear to the children as they slept and leave a token, usually an inscribed stone, which would be found in the child's hand on waking. This was the only such school that employed this method of student selection.[2]
Known students
- Uagadou potions champion
- Babajide Akingbade (graduated)
Etymology and pronunciation
- The pronunciation of Uagadou is /ˌwɑːɡəˈduː/ or, as rendered on Pottermore', "Wag - a - doo".[2]
- Uagadou may be a variant spelling of Ouagadou, a commune in southwestern Mali, or Wagadu, a name for the Ghana Empire, which was located in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali. It is also possible that it is derived from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Gallery
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2014 editions)
- Wonderbook: Book of Potions (First identified as Uagadou)
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
Notes and references
| Wizarding education | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The eleven schools | |||
| Beauxbatons · Castelobruxo · Durmstrang · Hogwarts · Ilvermorny · Koldovstoretz · Mahoutokoro · Uagadou | |||
| Specialised schools | |||
| Academy of Broom Flying · Charm School · Euro-Glyph School of Extraordinary Languages · Merge School of Under-Water Spellage · The Naaszcademy of Magizoology · Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts · Young Wizards Daycare Center | |||