As we eagerly await WordCamp Nepal 2024, it’s worth reflecting on the humble beginnings of the beloved Wapuu mascot. Born out of creativity and community spirit, Wapuu’s journey traces back to a WordCamp Tokyo after-party in 2009. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Wapuu and its evolution into a global symbol of the WordPress community.
The Birth of Wapuu: Wapuu’s story begins with a simple yet impactful idea presented at the WordCamp Tokyo after-party in 2009. Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress, sought ideas from the Japanese WordPress community to promote the platform in Japan. One innovative suggestion stood out—to create a mascot unique to Japan for WordPress.
Wapuu’s Debut: From this enthusiasm and support, Wapuu made its debut as a cute, Japanese monster—representing the fusion of creativity and community collaboration. The name “Wapuu” itself is a portmanteau, combining “WordPress” and the Japanese word for “elephant” (wappu, ワップ), resulting in the adorable character we know today.
Global Impact: What began as a local initiative soon transcended borders. Wapuu’s popularity grew, and it became more than just a mascot for the Japanese WordPress community—it evolved into a global symbol of unity for WordPress enthusiasts worldwide.
The Call for Wapuus at WordCamp Nepal 2024
Fast forward to the present day, and the tradition of creating unique Wapuus continues. WordCamp Nepal 2024 extends an invitation to designers and artists to contribute to the rich legacy of Wapuu by crafting a design that captures the essence of the Nepali WordPress community.
Key Themes for Wapuu Designs:
- Cultural Fusion: Infuse your Wapuu design with elements that reflect the vibrant culture of Nepal, just as the original Wapuu did for Japan.
- WordPress Integration: Pay homage to the platform by creatively incorporating WordPress-related elements into your design, staying true to the spirit of Wapuu.
- Community Spirit: Collaborate with the local WordPress community to ensure that your Wapuu resonates with the unique identity and passion of Nepali WordPress enthusiasts.
You may also read the Wapuu Guidelines here: https://wapu.us/resources/wapuu-guidelines/
Submit Your Entry:
Please note: We’re using Google Forms to collect the Wapuu designs, and it is mandatory to be logged into a google account to be able to open the form.