Deep in the rural wooded swamp of Livingston Parish and young girl was having a friend of hers spend the night. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. 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. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. What I saw scared the life out of me. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? The commuter stated Unlike the sloth, it was man-like. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report #514. 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. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. 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. "This thing had a flat back. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. 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. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. 22. 2023 Atlas Obscura. 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. [12] Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. The court would ask the public if they believed the accused to be a loup-garou, and usually the public agreed (mainly for fear that theyd be outed as a witch or a loup-garou themselves). This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. 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. Your email address will not be published. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. After Ford's death, a grainy film reel was found in his attic that shows a large and hairy figure shuffling upright between the trees. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. See. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. Your email address will not be published. Thats no werewolf, though. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. A 1926 article in the New Orleans States juxtaposes scenes of the wild honeysuckle and vibrant Southern foliage of the area against bushes used as hiding spots for murderers to ambush victims. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. Where can you find a Rougarou? Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. 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. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. 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. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. 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. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. 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 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. 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. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). 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. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. 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. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. The Same LObservateur article that mentioned the Laplace mans sighting near Ruddock in 1983, also makes mention of another Laplace man that had a strange encounter on top of the levee near Bayou Steel. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Offer subject to change without notice. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". A long-simmering proposal to dam the Pearl River near Jackson, Miss., has prompted concerns in southeast Louisina and southwest Mississippi about how such a project would impact the lower Pearl River. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. 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. Its true! 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. 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 brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. 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. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. With the head of a werewolf and the body of a man, the creature is said to prey on misbehaving children and dates back to medieval France. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. 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. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. 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. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? I want more! If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. 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. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. The man dropped his gun and ran. Some months prior to this her entire family told her they hear a woman screaming at the top of her lungs, followed by a gurgling noise coming from the woods. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. Crafty. 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. One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Country's answer to Bigfoot. I was thinking the same. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. 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. Glad the information was here. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. All rights reserved. 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. Definitely a loup-garou. In 2011, Foret launched Rougarou Fest in Houma, Terrebones parish seat and largest city, as both a fundraiser for the center and a way to revive the fading cryptid tradition. 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 story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. 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. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? 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. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. Stories of cajun folklore monsters have been passed down for decadescenturies even. Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 human animal sobbing sounds were also accompanied by the snapping of branches and the crackling of leaves that gave the impression of something large moving through the woods. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? 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 . Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. 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. 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). Required fields are marked *. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. And then I realized that is what I saw! At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. 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 French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. I suppose anything is possible, and while the Bigfoot sighting phenomena originated in the Pacific Northwest, it seems more than plausible that such a creature could exist here. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 51. According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. That these creatures are flesh and blood, but the reason they go undetected is because they are inter-dimensional beings that pop in and out of our reality. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, 6 Exercises You Can Do with a Resistance Band, 4 Southern Traditions You Should Know About. 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. 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. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. A monster? Witches?Witch doctors! What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. 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! 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. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 4. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. Strange noise ? I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. The friend forgot her purse in the car. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. The question nagged him into adulthood. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. 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. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. The two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. The friend described a chilling encounter one warm morning. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. I need to do some more research on those spirits! Over the last century, hurricanes, sea level rise, and problematic development projects, such as damming the Mississippi River, have caused Louisiana to lose more than 2,000 square miles of land. Proud foodie. 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 . Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. 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. The history of the Rougarou is centuries-old and has many different origins, but the earliest mention of the infamous, mythical Louisiana werewolf comes from medieval France. Your email address will not be published. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. Enjoy these allegedly. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . Generations of children have heard the scary. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family.
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