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The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. It is most often described as having a human body with the head of a wolf or dog, with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp teeth. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. Such monster makeovers are common. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. What he told me next has stuck in my memory, and was the spark that lit the flame regarding personal interest I took in all things weird, and strange. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Strange noise ? No matter how you spell it, the Rougarou, Roux-Ga-Roux, Rugaroo, Rugaru, or Loup Garou is a werewolf type creature living in the folklore of Cajun French Louisiana. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. Foret grew up in southern Louisiana, between the Atchafalaya Basin and New Orleans, where stories of the rougarou are most often heardand he wouldnt venture into wooded areas at night because of them. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. Thanks for sharing it with us! According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. In this version, the Rougarou is in human form during the day, only transforming at night, meaning he could blend in with society and no one would ever know! In the official report the officer filed he was honest, but kept the details to a minimum, it was a very tall dark figure, with no description of clothing. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. March 18th 2022 was the full moon or the Worm Moon and as I was driving down i49 something crossed the road it was almost like a creature I seen in Scooby-Doo doo it ran so fast across the highway on 2 feet and was so tall. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. Frequently referred to as beast in the story, the part-man, part-animal with piercing yellow eyes has appeared in several anecdotes by self-styled witnesses since the 1960s. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. The Legend of the Louisiana Swamp Werewolf Known as the Rougarou, or sometimes as the Loup-Garou This Legend is said that the creature has prowled for hundreds of years in the swamps Show more. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. A story in The Nicholls Worth, a local college paper, titled "Rougarou Remains Strong Figure in Cajun Folklore," recounts a story from a woman about an experience in her youth. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. Your email address will not be published. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. A close friend of the family who was on . All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. The rougarou once served to scare adults into being good Catholics, and children into staying home after dark, Rabalais says, adding, Now there are other things to be scared of, like rising water levels and hurricanes.. Enjoy these allegedly. Thank you! Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. Upright Canine (Possible 'Rougarou') Encountered in Beauregard Parish For more information, visit the Rougarou Fest website, and don't forget to give them a follow on Facebook so you don't miss out on any announcements. Deep within the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a legendary werewolf sort creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. Our parents would say things like, you better behave or the rougarou is gonna get you, says Jonathan Foret, a native of Terrebonne Parish, a patchwork of bayou and lowlands on the Gulf shore. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. There was a significant belief in the beast by the populace that people were put on trial and found guilty of being the fabled beast. People who didnt have a lot of physical or social power in society found a way to survive through being clever., Even Louisianas infamous and very real alligators have undergone a rebranding. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. Offer subject to change without notice. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. Who knows what it is? Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. Curious Louisiana answers. I dont remember verbatim what he told me that day but the gist of that conversation has stuck in my psyche with clarity for nearly 30 years. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. The same 12 year old child claims that about a month after, they were out with the same cousin in the woods that bordered their neighborhood, when they spotted a bush along the train track shake. Legends of the Rougarou. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. Deep in the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a mythical werewolf type creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. In the legend, this beast is often described as having the body of a man and the head of a wolf or a dog and prowls Louisiana swamps looking for misbehaving children. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. We know what you are probably thinking. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. 10/8/21: Rougarou - an American Skinwalker in Louisiana W/ Seth Logic would dictate that any such creature living in southeast Louisiana would appear thinner in both frame and hair because of the climate and wet conditions. He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . See. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. On a moonless night those are the darkest woods Ive ever trekked through.that includes the Black Forest, Mark Twain National Forest Missouri, the hills of West Virginia, and the Pine Flats in New Jersey. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. I was compelled to dig in further to see if I could find more sighting reports in the Southeast Louisiana area, if only to substantiate these other reports. We cant make this stuff up. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover The creature stood upright on two legs. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. After years of inbreeding, their appearance became less and less human-like, resulting in what people now call The Grunch. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. An illegal moonshine distilling business once drove much of the area's economy, but competition could be shot down without any repercussions, according to the article. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Your email address will not be published. The line on the trees in this picture taken Nov. 16, 2017, shows the swamp's typical high-water mark, which generally arrives in the spring. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. Crafty. The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. I hunt all over america and even in Africa a couple times ive run across crap that has made me avoid entire states and run across other things that i tried to stalk and kill one of these things i tried to kill is a loup garou i lived in deep louisiana until i was 11 i know about these things your gonna need some back story for this i subscribe to the idea that they are cursed humans and will have the curse till they die like wherewolves and the loup garou may even be a wherewolf because the only time ive ever found a claim of one that i couldnt easily blow off the description was the same as a where wolf like a humanoid grizzly bear on two legs with lots of steroids that aside i was doing some hunting one night for hog and saw a huge animal walk out stood 6 or 7 feet tall on two legs couldnt make out fine details due to light but i took a shot at it after i saw enough to realize it wasnt human i shot it in the head with a 45-70 those of you who dont get that its a rifle capable of taking large game like an elephant with one shot very strong round and for those of you who are gun people ill give some specs it was a 500 grain soft lead bullet hot loaded on 72 grains of powder (that doesnt sound like much but i shoot black powder in it not smokeless and no its not a muzzle loader it shoots brass cased bullets like a normal gun) anyway i hit it in the head and it got really pissed of and started to charge from about 200 yards away i shot it again in the chest and it ran off i spent the night tracking it mind you this all happemed at about 10 i only quit when i lost blood trail and foot print trail right around daylight i went home and that night there was a story of a man whos body had been found with two large holes that resembled bullet holes but it was ruled out because there was no trace of any lead or powder and he was drained of all his blood that chalked it up to a satanic ritual now to me it sounds like i killed a loup garou but hey maybe its still out there and just really pissed off. Rougarou Sightings According to a lady from Louisiana, a local child was being chased by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. In an attempt to keep occupied and at home during these various phases of the Covid-19 pandemic, on a whim I decided to search out Louisiana based Bigfoot sightings. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. Turns out voodoo is still in. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. Discovering the Rougarou - ArcGIS StoryMaps Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. This a great article!! The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. The earliest report takes place in the swampy forest of Back Vacherie in 1891.An excerpt from Along The River Road, Past and Present on LouisianasHistoric Byway by Mary Ann Sternberg. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. 2023 Atlas Obscura. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Mr. Nameless is still is not 100% sure what he saw that evening down Peavine Road, but from time to time he still thinks, and wonders what that large dark figure that crossed his path could be. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. The Loupe Garou has to be based on stories told by parents wanting there children to behave and make there beds clean the dishes ect ect. Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou | PeachTown If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. He was only about 100 yards away when it crossed so a person would not of had time to get far enough to disappear into the swamp. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. Required fields are marked *. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. In 1974, Ford, a wildlife photographer and former air traffic controller, claimed to have witnessed the creature while exploring potential hunting grounds. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. The Rougarou Fest Is The Spookiest Festival In Louisiana - OnlyInYourState At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. It was a fall evening and this student was walking on a road in back of the property that borders cow pastures and piney woods. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. Variations also associate it with animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens, due to the fact that wolves are not often seen in the area. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. Despite the fact that it was originally a legend, there are still claimed sightings of the Rougarou to this day, though it has died off a bit in the past decade. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. Another telling of the story says that the Rougarou is under a 101-day curse, unless the affected person can transfer the curse to another human being. Foret recalls hearing of one legendary rougarou run-in, when a young boy out for a stroll, armed with only his oyster knife, encountered the creature. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. The Rougarou ---- The Louisiana Swamp Monster - YouTube Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. Foret is now director of the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a nonprofit that educates students, in the classroom and on field trips, about the challenges of sea level rise, climate change, and living in a coastal communityone still recovering from 2021s Hurricane Ida. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. Had me captured. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. The Husband also described the creature as being dark in color and large. Full report can be found on http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html. But for decades, hes wondered about one of the swamp's fabled creatures the Honey Island Swamp Monster, a legendary 500-pound beast that some claim hides amid the cypress trees andmurky waters. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Since Cajun dialect is a mix of French and English and well-known for changing words completely to roll off the tongue easier, the name of the beast changed from loup-garou to Rougarou (also spelled roux-ga-roux, rugaroo, or rugaru). Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. She described it also as being tall and hairy and went on to further say that it was almost so white it was glowing. She also described the creature to be staring in her direction. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Coming across this story made me reach out to Mr. Nameless to see if he would entertain the idea answering some questions about the experience he had in the early 90s. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. "This thing had a flat back. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - The Daily Advertiser The neighbor, who was unaware of the husbands sighting, stated that while walking with his dog in the woods, his dog got spooked and ran back toward their house. Once the rougarou settled into southern Louisianas swampy shadows, it took on some aspects of local Native American cryptids, such as a legendary Choctaw shapeshifting owl-witch. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. The basic tale of Rougarou is one of a half man, half wolf that prowls the Louisiana swamps, looking for Catholics that have broken Lent or broken Catholic rules in other ways. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - Paranormal Outlaw The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! These monsters are said to roam the cities, swamps, and scary places of Louisiana in search of their next victims, and its to your benefit to stay educated if you want any hope of survival.