Wapuu has been making his way around the WordCamp circuit for a while now. There are so many wonderful Wapuu siblings, and the Japanese WordPress community published a great origin story in December of 2015.
This new member of the Wapuu family hails from the countryside of Lancaster County and is the mascot of WordCamp Lancaster!
Meet Jakeypuu
He resides in Lancaster county, caring for his farm! He loves spring and fall, especially around planting season and harvest time. While he’s not busy on the farm, he relaxes by using WordPress to support his local produce stand, where he not only sells great fruits and veggies, but also Meadow Tea and Amish style root beer!
Jakey’s Wapuu Family
We have several family members from Jakey’s family this year. They’re each representing a little piece of Lancaster culture. We have Wapuu holding a traditional hex sign (a popular Pennsylvania Dutch folk art style), a Whoopie Pie (a treat we had last year!), and a Dutch Apple Pie!
The Hex Sign
The Pennsylvania Dutch hex sign has a long, rich history in the area. It frequently ornaments buildings, clothing, and many other facets of life in Lancaster County and the surrounding area.
Souvenir shop in Lancaster County selling hex signs. Source: Wikipedia
About 300 years ago, groups of peasant farmers from the Rhine region of Germany migrated to southeastern Pennsylvania. These settlers came to take advantage of freedoms being offered by William Penn. They included settlers of plain dress — Amish and Mennonites – and others of more “worldly” or “fancy” dress – Lutherans and other Reformed groups. Over time, these settlers became known as “Pennsylvania Dutch.”
Like other immigrants, they brought their old world language, dress, traditions, and art to their new home.
Barn with compass rose hex signs at the historic Mascot Mills in Lancaster County. Source: Wikipedia
Mystical bird and floral designs graced their birth and marriage certificates, books, quilts, and furniture. The “fancy” farmers also decorated their large German-style bank barns with colorful geometric patterns. Six-pointed star designs were very popular. The German word for six, “sechs,” sounded like hex to their English-speaking neighbors. In time, these “hex” patterns became commonly called hex signs. This custom persists today.
(excerpt adapted from http://lancasterpa.com/shopping/hex-signs/)
Whoopie Pie
Here’s what an actual whoopie pie looks like:
Whoopie pies are delicious!
Yes, it is as delicious as it appears. Whoopie pies are a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch treat made of two chocolate pieces of cake on the outside with a sweet frosting inside filling. We won’t be serving Whoopie Pies this year like we did in 2015, but you can make them yourself.
It’s believed that whoopie pies were first made from leftover cake batter, and Amish legend has it that, when children and even farmers would find the delicious treat in their lunch pail, they’d yell out “Whoopie!,” hence the name.
Dutch Apple Pie
A Dutch apple pie is an apple pie with a streusel topping made with flour, sugar, and butter.
Everyone at WordCamp Lancaster will be getting a sticker pack that includes all of our awesome Wapuus. YAY! (While supplies last. BOO!)
If you don’t yet have your ticket to WordCamp Lancaster, grab a ticket!
If you are registered, stay tuned for updates, we can’t wait to see you!
Feel free to download these and use them as you wish. They’re all GPL, naturally. 🙂
Wapuu Wallpapers
We’ve also created these Wapuu wallpapers for your desktop or mobile device!
WC Lancaster Hex Sign Wapuu on Desktop: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050,1920×1080, 1920×1200
WC Lancaster Hex Sign Wapuu Mobile: 640×1136, 720×1280, 750×1334, 1080×1920, 1440×2560
Whoopie Pie Wapuu on Desktop: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050,1920×1080, 1920×1200
Whoopie Pie Wapuu Mobile: 640×1136, 720×1280, 750×1334, 1080×1920, 1440×2560
Dutch Apple Pie Wapuu on Desktop: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050,1920×1080, 1920×1200
Dutch Apple Pie Wapuu Mobile: 640×1136, 720×1280, 750×1334, 1080×1920, 1440×2560
WordCamp Lancaster Desktop: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050,1920×1080, 1920×1200
WordCamp Lancaster Mobile: 640×1136, 720×1280, 750×1334, 1080×1920, 1440×2560
