Required fields are marked *. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. Were not afraid. Curious Louisiana answers. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. 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. 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. At first he thought it was a bear that was under the house causing a commotion, but as he approached the creature stood up and ran off into the swamp. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. 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. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. Well written and well documented. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. Its true! This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. In another variation of the story, the half man half wolf monster targets and kills Catholics that have failed to follow the rules of Lent. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. 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. by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. 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. 9 REAL Sightings of the Rougarou | Darkness Prevails Darkness Prevails 631K subscribers Subscribe 4.7K 136K views 3 years ago It's like a real life werewolf, but worse. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. To my surprise I got text response saying Im outside in my backyard if you want to come over, its not much of a story. I remember it was a brief encounter and not many details but my objective was to write down what he remembered from his perspective, rather than a second-hand accounting from my childhood perspective. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! This a great article!! Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. Thanks for sharing it with us! 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. 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. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. Folklore will have us believe that a Rougarou has the opportunity to change back to a human after 101 days, but only after finding another human who is willing to have the curse transferred to them. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. I want more! This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. Let us know in the comments below! They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. 22. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. It was still very much daylight when this happened but the only detail he could make out was that the creature was upright and a bipedal hominid, dark in color. Had me captured. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. 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. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. Your email address will not be published. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. Glad the information was here. There was a problem saving your notification. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. 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). Your email address will not be published. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. The short answer is oral tradition. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. 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. I remember he kept repeating something to the effect of look, Im not sure what I saw. At that time the only reference I had to Bigfoot was a few TV shows and a book I checked out a few times from my schools library. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. 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. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover One man hopes to turn the wolfish cryptid into a mascot for saving the state's imperiled wetlands. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. Apparently, when a person changes into a Rougarou they forget how to count past 12 (probably since they only worry about midnight and the moon at this point). Perhaps this giant was not a fan of small talk, and from the direction of travel I suspect the giant was heading home to Chackbay. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. 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. 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. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. 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. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! 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. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. 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. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. See. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. 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.. 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. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. When I asked Mr. Nameless if the creature was covered in hair he told me that he could not make out any detail other than the figure was large, and almost black. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. I was thinking the same. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. "Who. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. Whatever he saw had Mr. Nameless so unsettled that even from the safety of his truck was hesitant to pass where the creature had crossed. 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. Theres a howl in the near distance. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. He and his partner were a part of a unit in Jefferson Parish that were first responders to criminal calls, making this a most credible report. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. While the officers were talking to the lady, a K-9 unit arrived on scene and when they began their search the dog alerted to something. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. Turns out voodoo is still in. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. Bobby Brettel grew up in New Orleans, nearly 40 miles away from the moss-tangled bayous of eastern St. Tammany Parish's Honey Island Swamp. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. This is why I always read terms and conditions. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. 4. It was a full moon so it made spotting the Bullfrogs easier "super tasty btw", anyway we're wondering down by the . I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. The anonyms Laplace man said he was out near Ruddock with a friend, they were clearing land with a bulldozer when they came across footprints in the mud that were at least 19 inches in length. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. Definitely a loup-garou. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. Thats no werewolf, though. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. 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. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. 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. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. 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! Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. The 2015 short film Atchafalaya centers around a game warden searching in a Louisiana swamp for a missing person who is hinted to have been taken by a loup-garou. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." I found a report from Civil War veteran Fredrick Kliebert who was walking home from a squirrel hunt when he saw what he described as a giant. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. The only one I say can I truly believe is the sighting told to me by Mr. Nameless and that is only because I have known him my entire life and trust him. He flagged me down to speak with me. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. 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." It happened to three of us on Texas river,not sure if it was real or not ,but what we heard was not native to Texas . Other questions:[email protected]. 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. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! 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. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. 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. For Foret and many other Cajun residents in the area, the real possibility that climate change will eventually force them from their homes is particularly upsetting. If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. Its too late to turn back! But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. Who knows what it is? The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. The Rougarou: Southern Louisiana The legends of the rougarou, or loup-garou, have been passed down from generation to generation as long as Louisiana has been inhabited by modern man. When they got to the spot they noticed the earth and surrounding plant life was disturbed like something big frequently passed there, a game trail of sorts. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence in local culture and beyond. Proud foodie. all proceeds from rougarou fest go to the south louisiana wetlands discovery center click here to learn more. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. No purchase necessary. 2023 Atlas Obscura. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. The tales of the Rougarou have many variations, but it is mostly described as being a hulking beast, up to 10 feet tall, with the hair covered body of a human and the head of a wolf or in some cases a . People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. We know what you are probably thinking. The dark figure crossed the road from the passenger side to the driver side, so it was traveling due south when it crossed the road. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. 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. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. Louisiana native. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. 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. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. 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. 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. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. In an interview conducted by Carter Buschardt, the officer stated that he went back to look at the end of shift report he filed the night of the encounter, but was unable to find the report. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. we have similar creatures in northeastern NY along with a few other cryptids like pig men and Bigfoot but i also have seen a panther like cat with black bat like wings by the tree line in a small town along lake Champlain. 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.
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