{"id":6028,"date":"2026-09-09T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T09:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/?p=6028"},"modified":"2026-09-09T10:01:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T04:16:30","slug":"wordcamp-kathmandu-2026-wapuu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wordcamp-kathmandu-2026-wapuu\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the WordCamp Kathmandu 2026 Wapuu"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Say Hello to Lakhepuu<\/strong>, Our Official Wapuu!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every WordCamp has its own story. It is shaped by the people, culture, and place that bring the community together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, WordCamp Kathmandu has a new character to tell part of that story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet Lakhepuu<\/strong>, the official Wapuu of WordCamp Kathmandu 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakhepuu brings together two familiar figures: the beloved WordPress Wapuu and the traditional Lakhey of Kathmandu. Together, they create a mascot that connects WordPress with a part of Kathmandu\u2019s culture and heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Wapuu?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"wapuu\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have been around the WordPress community for a while, you have probably seen Wapuu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wapuu is the official mascot of WordPress. It was first created in Japan in 2011 by illustrator Kazuko Kaneuchi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, Wapuu has traveled far beyond its original design. WordCamps around the world have created their own versions. Each one gives Wapuu local outfits, features, and stories inspired by the host community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is what makes Wapuu special. There is one familiar character, but every WordCamp can give it a local identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For WordCamp Kathmandu, that identity comes from the Lakhey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fusion of Lakhey and Wapuu<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The name Lakhepuu<\/strong> combines Lakhey<\/em> and Wapuu<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakhey is one of the most recognizable figures in Kathmandu\u2019s Newari culture. During Indra Jatra<\/strong>, the traditional masked figure appears in the streets of the old city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, Indra Jatra falls on Friday, September 25, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, the Lakhey can look fierce and even frightening. It is usually shown with a large red face, wide eyes, sharp fangs, wild hair, and an elaborate costume. The dancer moves with great energy, often accompanied by the powerful sound of traditional drums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lakhey\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there is more to Lakhey than its fierce appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Newar folklore, Lakhey is also seen as a guardian figure. Its frightening appearance is associated with protecting people and communities from harmful or evil forces. The story of Majipa Lakhey, one of the best-known Lakhey traditions of Kathmandu, is closely connected with the idea of a once-feared figure becoming a protector of the city and its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakhey is also part of Kathmandu\u2019s living cultural heritage. It is not simply a character from the past. The tradition continues through festivals, masked dances, music, and community celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wanted our Wapuu to carry a little of that character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, Lakhepuu keeps the familiar shape and playful spirit of Wapuu. At the same time, it takes inspiration from the Lakhey\u2019s appearance and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is a mascot that feels at home in Kathmandu. It is also still part of the wider WordPress community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet Lakhepuu at WordCamp Kathmandu 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Lakhepuu\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
Download Wapuu in JPG<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Download Wapuu in PNG<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WordCamp Kathmandu 2026 is happening on September 18\u201319, 2026<\/strong>, at Alice Receptions, Gairidhara, Kathmandu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are joining us from Nepal or traveling from somewhere else, we hope Lakhepuu becomes one of the characters you remember from this year\u2019s WordCamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Kathmandu. Welcome to WordCamp. And say hello to Lakhepuu!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Say Hello to Lakhepuu, Our Official Wapuu! Every WordCamp has its own story. It is shaped by the people, culture, and place that bring the community together. This year, WordCamp Kathmandu has a new character to tell part of that story. Meet Lakhepuu, the official Wapuu of WordCamp Kathmandu 2026. Lakhepuu brings together two familiar […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17181372,"featured_media":6031,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phbVi5-1ze","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/files\/2026\/09\/Introducing-lakhepuu.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17181372"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6028"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6028\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6055,"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6028\/revisions\/6055"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kathmandu.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}