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Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. For those of you who haven't heard th. 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. On a different occasion that same Laplace man was out in the swamp with these two Doberman pinchers when he spotted a 7 foot tall bi-pedal creature that caused the dogs to run off. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Upright Canine (Possible 'Rougarou') Encountered in Beauregard Parish The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. 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. No one agrees what it looks like because they dont really have wolves in this part of our country, says Nathan J. Rabalais, author of Folklore Figures of French and Creole Louisiana. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. The Rougarou ---- The Louisiana Swamp Monster - YouTube He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. According to two deputies who refused to have their names published for fear of retaliation, killers knew they could disappear into the swamp's thick fog, their whereabouts untrackable by officers or bloodhounds. 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. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Get more stories delivered right to your email. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. Did your house get ransacked during the night? 22. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. The Legends Of This Mythical Creature In Louisiana Are Terrifying 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. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Glad the information was here. While you're in Houma, don't forget to stop by A-Bear's, home to some of the most delicious homemade desserts in Louisiana. mystery of Marie Laveau, Louisianas Voodoo Queen, Jacques St. Germain, The Infamous Louisiana Vampire, Jean Lafitte: Mystery of the Unfound Treasure, History of the Louisiana Snowball and Its Flavors. The Rougarou myth is even so prevalent that the term "rougarouing" or similar terms have become used to describe a person who stays up late or is active at night. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. So this happened to me a few years ago, I was visiting a friend's house in the Houston River area, that section of the river is pretty swampy so we were frog hunting at night. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. Some legends of the beast say it can only be killed by fire, others say it can be killed while its in its vulnerable human form. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. The Grunch: A Chupacabra on the Louisiana Bayou - Exemplore The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. Thats no werewolf, though. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. The brave friend continued on to the car, opened the door and started to feel around in the dark for the purse in the passenger seat. The seminary student continued to stand still to observe further when the creature started to pace back in fourth just out of sight, beyond the tree line, all why still producing the strange whimpers. The man dropped his gun and ran. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. Well written and well documented. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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 Most Haunted Louisiana Road: Bayou Sale Road Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. Once turned around, the cousin looked back and observed the creature now walking in the middle of the road and at a quicker pace toward the children. A version from the 16th century paints it as being seen as something similar to a genetic disorder, rather than the curse most other versions of the myth portray the Rougarou as being. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. 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. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. There are quite a few roads that are known to be haunted or spirited in Louisiana, but none is quite as infamous as Bayou Sale Road, a long curvy road that connects Dulac, LA to Cocodrie, LA. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. Deep in the rural wooded swamp of Livingston Parish and young girl was having a friend of hers spend the night. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. I got more specific with my search terms and soon stumbled upon something that reignited the idea of a creature like Bigfoot existing in our parts. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Countrys answer to Bigfoot. The friend forgot her purse in the car. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. At the time of the encounter the officer had no working knowledge of Bigfoot or sasquatch, but having a degree in anthropology left no doubt in the officers mind what he saw was most defiantly not a large, naked, human being. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. Required fields are marked *. We cant make this stuff up. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! 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. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. 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. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. A monster? 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. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. 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. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings - Rougarou's Cursed blog Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. 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. 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. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The name changed to rougarou in Cajun Louisiana because l and r are linguistically liquid consonants and they change places a lot, says Barry Jean Ancelet, a Cajun folklorist and professor emeritus with the University of Lafayette. Enjoy these allegedly. 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.. There are also stories of an enormous monster that also shares the bayou with the Rougarou and that is the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisiana's "bigfoot of the swamp." 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 . The creature stood upright on two legs. 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. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf - Exemplore We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels In 1989 this man was alone on top of the levee near Bayou Steel; He was waiting for his brother to meet him to go hunting behind the levee. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. . By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. An estimated 15,000 people now attend Rougarou Festival, which still manages to provide a very genuine peek into a culture and a land unlike any other in the world. 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. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. The Caribbean island nation of Haiti, already steeped in the dark lore of zombies and voodoo magic, also has its own version of the infamous werewolf, which they call the je-rouges, or "red eyes." It is also referred to it as the French loup-garou and by the Creole word lougarou. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. For decades, the equivalent of one football field of coastline was lost per hour; while the rate has slowed, the regions long-term prognosis remains grim. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. Theres an annual Rougarou Festival in Houma every year, and the Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has a Rougarou exhibit, which includes a statue of the creature in all its swampy glory. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. 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! Whether the Rougarou is truly a cryptid stalking the streets at night just waiting to pass its curse on to the next unfortunate soul, or whether it is merely a tool used to scare Catholics into keeping Lent, it is clear that the Rougarou has left its mark on Southern Louisiana. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. Louisiana native. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. The rougarou is closely related to the European version of the werewolf but has a few very distinct differences from the wolfmen seen in movies and on television. The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. The French Catholics claimed that you would be turned into a loup-garou if you did not follow the rules of Lent for seven consecutive years. He told himself if whatever that was jumps out at me, I can always hit the accelerator. When he got to the area where the creature crossed the road, he looked out the drivers side window but did not see anything. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. A 9ft tall man with a black beard and what appeared to be a cloak of brown fur hanging from his neck by a rope. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf" : cryptids - reddit The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. We love meat too, but come on. A story in The Daily Comet titled "Tales of The Rougarou Still Haunt Local Memories" states, "In the past, rumors about strange or eccentric neighbors would float through small bayou communities, labeling various people as the dreaded Rougarou." 8 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore | PeachTown Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. The short answer is oral tradition. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. Turns out voodoo is still in. Your email address will not be published. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. The question nagged him into adulthood. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. No purchase necessary. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. Legends of the Rougarou. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Definitely a loup-garou. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. "Reporting a sighting of Bigfoot, Sasquatch and even the Honey Island Swamp Monster does not get you labeled a crazy person anymore, and therefore, those who believe eyewitnesses are not labeled crazy either," said Dana Holyfield, granddaughter of Harlan Ford a man often credited with having the first recorded encounter with the purported swamp monster. 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. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. 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. Were not afraid. 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. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. 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. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. 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. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. History of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf - Pelican State of Mind Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. 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. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. I want more! Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. Love Louisiana? Proud foodie. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. All rights reserved. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population.