What’s a Wapuu, you ask? Well, if you’re new to the WordPress world, you might be wondering about this adorable little character that pops up at WordCamps and in the community.
What is Wapuu?
Wapuu is the unofficial (but much-loved!) mascot of WordPress. It’s a cute, friendly character that embodies the welcoming spirit of the WordPress community.
As a result of an idea first brought up during the WordCamp Tokyo 2009 after-party, Wapuu was created by Kaneuchi Kazuko as an unofficial mascot for WordPress in Japan. The first Wapuu was unveiled at WordCamp Fukuoka 2011. And now, Johor Bahru has its very own Wapuu, designed by the talented Peng Hao!
Creating a Wapuu that truly represents Johor’s rich culture and heritage was a journey of creative exploration. Peng Hao poured his artistic vision into crafting a Wapuu that speaks to the heart of Johor. Let’s take a peek at how our Johor Wapuu came to life:
Version 1: A Celebration of Johor’s Heritage
Peng Hao’s initial concept was a vibrant celebration of all things Johor. He incorporated a Male Zapin Costume, a beautiful representation of Johor’s traditional dance. He also included a Precious Stone, a nod to “Jauhar,” the Arabic meaning of Johor. Kuda Kepang, another iconic Johor traditional dance, made an appearance, along with the striking Johor Flag Colours (blue, red, and white).
And to complete the picture, he added the lovely Rhododendron Malayanum, a native Johor flora. This first version was a rich tapestry of Johor’s cultural identity, a beautiful and detailed tribute to its traditions.
Version 2: Refining the Vision
For Version 2, Peng Hao embarked on a journey of refinement. He met Chiaki Kouno at WordCamp Malaysia 2024 and consulted her, who designed the event mascots Tuk-Tuk Wapuu and Chao Phraya Boat Wapuu.
He removed the Rhododendron Malayanum, choosing a more focused approach. He also meticulously refined the Wapuu’s Face Features, ensuring they aligned with the official Wapuu guidelines for the eyes, ears, and lips. The Body Shape & Proportion were adjusted, resulting in a rounder, more endearing form, with careful attention to the hand-head distance.
The Johor elements & details were simplified, magnified, and standardized, making them more versatile for various mediums and print sizes. Finally, the Border Thickness was significantly adjusted to create a clearer distinction between the inner and outer outlines. This version maintained the key Johor elements but presented them in a more polished and adaptable way.
Version 3: Embracing Minimalism
The final version saw Peng Hao embrace a minimalist philosophy. He removed the Johor map, taking the design a step further in simplification. The focus shifted to clean lines and essential forms. The core Johor elements – the Zapin costume, the precious stone, and the Kuda Kepang – remained, but they were distilled to their most basic, recognizable forms. The colour palette, inspired by the Johor flag, was used strategically.
The result? A Wapuu that is both distinctly Johorean and strikingly minimalist. It’s a design that communicates volumes through its simplicity, a testament to Peng Hao’s artistic vision and his ability to capture the spirit of Johor in a clean and modern way.
But that’s not all! Peng Hao didn’t stop there. He also designed a series of variations on our Johor Wapuu. We have versions with and without an emblem, and even one without the Kuda Kepang. And here’s the exciting news: the Wapuu without the Kuda Kepang is our official WordCamp Johor Bahru Wapuu! The other variations, including the ones with the Kuda Kepang, will be proudly used as the official Wapuu for our Johor Bahru Meetups!
We, the organizing team of WordCamp Johor Bahru 2025, are incredibly excited to share our unique Johor-inspired Wapuu (and its variations!) with you! We believe they perfectly embody the spirit of our community and our connection to our rich heritage.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Johor Bahru and share this special experience with you. Join us at WordCamp Johor Bahru 2025 and meet our official Wapuu! We look forward to seeing you there!
