Stories of cajun folklore monsters have been passed down for decadescenturies even. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. 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. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. 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. The question nagged him into adulthood. Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! But first, lets dive into some of its histories. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. 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. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. 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. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. 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 unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. 2023 Atlas Obscura. "Who. 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. 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. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. The officer that submitted this report has over 40 years in military and law enforcement, a degree in Anthropology, and self educated in Darwinism, math and quantum physics. 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. The monster has its own Wikipedia pageand has been the source of numerous news stories and documentaries. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. We know what you are probably thinking. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. What is the Rougarou? However, it is unlikely you will find any real pictures of a Rougarou, if there are any, as most claims of sighting have turned out to be a hoax. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. Driving west on Airline Hwy. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. 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. 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. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. All rights reserved. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Years later, as a middle school teacher, hed mention the beast to his students only to learn theyd never heard of it. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. 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. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. 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). Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? Were not afraid. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. Strange noise ? The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. It throws its head back, letting out a blood-curdling howl to the moon. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. 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. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! 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. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below! Your email address will not be published. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. In a new subdivision that was still being developed named Sheryls Meadows, a 12 year old riding their mini-bike along with their cousin saw a lumbering creature approximately 500 yards away. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. He let his mind wander. 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. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. 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. 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." Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. 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. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. So normally I dont believe it till I see it but in this case I saw it before I even heard about it and now I totally believe it. I need to do some more research on those spirits! The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. The creature stood upright on two legs. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. Honey Island Swamp Monster See. The friend forgot her purse in the car. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". 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. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. 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. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. 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. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. 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. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Its true! I want more! Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. 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. "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . Well written and well documented. 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. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. 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. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Your email address will not be published. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. 4. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! The two young women decided they would go to the car together. No purchase necessary. 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. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. 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 Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who dont follow the rules of Lent, which is similar to the telling of the old French stories. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. 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. Curious Louisiana answers. 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. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 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. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? Wow, thank you for that insight! The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. And speaking of scaring Catholics, one French Catholic myth claims that in order for someone to turn into a Rougarou, they must break Lent seven years in a row. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. Offer subject to change without notice. We got kicked out of Nova Scotia, and now were getting kicked out of Louisiana and it just feels like theres some generational trauma linked to being forced to move over and over again, he says. It was also preached that French Catholics that broke the Lent seven years in a row would be hunted down and killed by the beast. Glad the information was here. The commuter stated Unlike the sloth, it was man-like. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report #514. 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. We love meat too, but come on. I was thinking the same. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. The man dropped his gun and ran. 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. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. Witches?Witch doctors! Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. You have permission to edit this article. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. 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. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. 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. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. 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. This a great article!! It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. 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. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! Theres a howl in the near distance. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. Was there really a monster in the swamps? 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. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. This is why I always read terms and conditions. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. Curious Louisiana answers. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! If you decide to attend the festival or find yourself around the swamps, make sure to remember the tricks and tactics we covered in this article. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. Definitely a loup-garou. 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. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. Back in the thick, fog-covered swamplands is where youll find the true beauty of Louisiana and perhaps even a monster or twoincluding the legendary beast called the Rougarou. When this is done on the 101st after the curse was initially placed, the former Rougarou is freed from the curse and allowed to take human form permanently. 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 story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel.
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