He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. The trickster figure really went from being the bad guy, the one to watch out for, to being a hero, says Rabalais, adding that the shift reflected the reality of the people who told and retold the stories. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. Such monster makeovers are common. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. I was thinking the same. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. The Husband also described the creature as being dark in color and large. Full report can be found on http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . 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. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. 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. 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. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. On a moonless night those are the darkest woods Ive ever trekked through.that includes the Black Forest, Mark Twain National Forest Missouri, the hills of West Virginia, and the Pine Flats in New Jersey. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. 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. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for sharing it with us! A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. 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. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. He was only about 100 yards away when it crossed so a person would not of had time to get far enough to disappear into the swamp. 2023 Atlas Obscura. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. 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. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. Definitely a loup-garou. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. 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 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. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. I want more! 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. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Loup-garou. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. Stories of cajun folklore monsters have been passed down for decadescenturies even. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. 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. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. 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 source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. A monster? Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. 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. We may never really find out.. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! The monster has its own Wikipedia pageand has been the source of numerous news stories and documentaries. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. That kind of transformation happens and I suspect that whats going on with this festival., But unlike sexy vampires or friendly alligators, Forets rougarou has been reimagined to champion a specific cause: protecting its habitat, which in turn will protect our own. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. 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. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. 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 friend described a chilling encounter one warm morning. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". He let his mind wander. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. 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 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. 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 neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. 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. Curious Louisiana answers. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. 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. 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. 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. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. 22. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. 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. 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. What is the Rougarou? Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. And then I realized that is what I saw! I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. 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. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. . Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings. 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. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. Deep in the rural wooded swamp of Livingston Parish and young girl was having a friend of hers spend the night. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. 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. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. 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. Louisiana native. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. Required fields are marked *. 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. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. Legends of the Rougarou. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. 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. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! 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. Turns out voodoo is still in. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. All rights reserved. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below! Its too late to turn back! 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. 51. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. Had me captured. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. The two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. For more information, visit the Rougarou Fest website, and don't forget to give them a follow on Facebook so you don't miss out on any announcements. Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. Your email address will not be published. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. 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. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! We know what you are probably thinking. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? 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. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. 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. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou?