If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! Save the Swamp: But, Beware the "Rougarou" - The National Wildlife Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. 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. 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. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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 student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. 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. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. "Reporting a sighting of Bigfoot, Sasquatch and even the Honey Island Swamp Monster does not get you labeled a crazy person anymore, and therefore, those who believe eyewitnesses are not labeled crazy either," said Dana Holyfield, granddaughter of Harlan Ford a man often credited with having the first recorded encounter with the purported swamp monster. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. In the official report the officer filed he was honest, but kept the details to a minimum, it was a very tall dark figure, with no description of clothing. Its too late to turn back! It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. 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. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. 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. 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. A monster? Generations of children have heard the scary. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. Your email address will not be published. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. Crafty. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? Louisiana Urban Legends, Monsters, and Haunted Places Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. In 1974, Ford, a wildlife photographer and former air traffic controller, claimed to have witnessed the creature while exploring potential hunting grounds. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. 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. 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. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. "Who. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou | PeachTown 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. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. 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. 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. Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Coming across this story made me reach out to Mr. Nameless to see if he would entertain the idea answering some questions about the experience he had in the early 90s. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - The Daily Advertiser Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. 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. 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. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. 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. The Legends Of This Mythical Creature In Louisiana Are Terrifying Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. 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. 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. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. "This thing had a flat back. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. Curious Louisiana answers. 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. 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. Strange noise ? The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. 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. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. 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. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. 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. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. Louisiana native. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. A close friend of the family who was on . 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. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. 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. 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. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. 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. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. 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. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. [12] What I saw scared the life out of me. Thats no werewolf, though. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. Deep in the rural wooded swamp of Livingston Parish and young girl was having a friend of hers spend the night. Discovering the Rougarou - ArcGIS StoryMaps The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf - Exemplore However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. There was also a story that was told to kids that if they didnt do what their parents asked, a loup-garou would come and steal them away in the middle of the night. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The same 12 year old child claims that about a month after, they were out with the same cousin in the woods that bordered their neighborhood, when they spotted a bush along the train track shake. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - Paranormal Outlaw Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. Was there really a monster in the swamps? Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. Legend of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf" : cryptids - reddit And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. 10/8/21: Rougarou - an American Skinwalker in Louisiana W/ Seth 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. He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. 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. Well written and well documented. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. 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." Wow, thank you for that insight! Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. 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. Despite the Rougarou legend seemingly beginning as a way to scare Catholics and children, many locals maintain its existence and have their own personal stories, especially among the older generation. "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. 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 concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. 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. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. And then I realized that is what I saw! Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. 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. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! 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. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. The short answer is oral tradition. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. 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. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . The two young women decided they would go to the car together. 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. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. Proud foodie. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. 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. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 9 REAL Sightings of the Rougarou | Darkness Prevails - YouTube 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. History of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf - Pelican State of Mind Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. 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. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. For decades, the equivalent of one football field of coastline was lost per hour; while the rate has slowed, the regions long-term prognosis remains grim. 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). Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? 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.