Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======No-Majs====== =====Introduction===== **No-Maj** is the term used by the North American [[wizarding community]] for a person entirely without [[magic]] at birth. It is the direct American English equivalent of the British English term, [[Muggle]]. The term and the cultural context surrounding it were introduced by [[J.K. Rowling]] to distinguish the American magical society from its British counterpart, primarily within the //Fantastic Beasts// film series and its supplementary materials. A No-Maj is born to non-magical parents and is incapable of performing or learning [[magic]]. =====Biography===== The history of No-Majs, from the perspective of the American [[wizarding community]], is intrinsically linked to the history of their persecution of [[witches]] and [[wizards]]. The trauma of the [[Salem Witch Trials]] in the 1690s, in which magical folk were persecuted by No-Majs, profoundly shaped the relationship between the two communities in North America (Pottermore). This led the [[Magical Congress of the United States of America]] ([[MACUSA]]) to institute [[Rappaport's Law]] in 1790 (Pottermore). This law enforced a strict and total segregation between wizards and No-Majs, far more rigid than the separation in Europe. Under [[Rappaport's Law]], intermarriage or even friendship between magical and non-magical people was illegal. This legislation was designed to protect the American [[wizarding community]] and preserve the [[International Statute of Secrecy]] by minimizing all contact, thereby creating a deep-seated cultural divide that persisted into the 20th century. =====Physical Appearance and Personality===== Physically, No-Majs are indistinguishable from [[witches]] and [[wizards]]. The capacity for [[magic]] is an innate, genetic quality rather than a physical one. From the wizarding world's viewpoint, the collective "personality" of the No-Maj community is one of complete ignorance regarding the existence of [[magic]]. This is a direct result of the stringent secrecy enforced by [[MACUSA]]. When confronted with inexplicable magical phenomena, their reactions can range from disbelief and confusion to fear and hostility, a lingering echo of historical tensions. =====Magical Abilities and Skills===== The defining characteristic of a No-Maj is the complete and congenital absence of magical ability. * They cannot cast [[spells]], brew [[potions]], or interact with most magical devices. * They are unable to see magically concealed locations, such as the [[Woolworth Building]] headquarters of [[MACUSA]], or certain magical creatures without the aid of a specific [[spell]] or potion. * Individuals born to magical parents who lack magical ability are known as [[Squibs]], a distinct and separate classification from No-Majs. =====Possessions===== By definition, No-Majs do not knowingly own authentic magical objects. The strict laws of the American [[wizarding community]] ensure that any magical artifact that falls into No-Maj hands is promptly retrieved and the memory of the event is erased by an [[Obliviator]]. A notable exception occurred when No-Maj [[Jacob Kowalski]] accidentally came into possession of [[Newt Scamander]]'s suitcase containing numerous magical creatures, a central event in the first //Fantastic Beasts// film (Fantastic Beasts). =====Relationships===== The relationship between No-Majs and the American [[wizarding community]] is historically one of fear, mistrust, and legally enforced segregation. [[Rappaport's Law]] forbade any fraternization, making the American wizarding world one of the most secretive and isolated in the world (Pottermore). This is in contrast to the United Kingdom, where relationships between [[wizards]] and [[Muggles]], while not common and often frowned upon by pure-blood supremacists, were not illegal. The forbidden romance between the Legilimens [[Queenie Goldstein]] and the No-Maj [[Jacob Kowalski]] is a primary example of the challenges and dangers of such relationships under [[MACUSA]]'s jurisdiction in the 1920s (Fantastic Beasts). =====Etymology===== The term **No-Maj** is a straightforward American colloquialism, a shortened form of the phrase "//No Magic//". It is pronounced "no-madge" (J.K. Rowling interview). This reflects a tendency in American English to create practical, descriptive portmanteaus. =====Behind the Scenes===== * The term "No-Maj" was created by [[J.K. Rowling]] specifically for the //Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them// film series to establish a unique American wizarding lexicon. It does not appear in the original seven //Harry Potter// novels, which are set primarily in the United Kingdom. * The term was first revealed to the public through Pottermore in 2015, prior to the release of the first film, where it generated significant discussion among fans accustomed to the term [[Muggle]] (Pottermore).
