Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Just Might Be Louisianas Biggest And Baddest Foodie Event, The Historic Restaurant In Louisiana Where You Can Still Experience The Old American South, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Sweetport In Louisiana, This Train Restaurant In Louisiana Is The Most Enchanting Place To Eat, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You Chills, The Story Behind This Legendary Swamp Monster In Louisiana Will Give You The Chills, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On, Wanderluster/E+ Collection via Getty Images, Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images, Troy Harrison/Moment Collection via Getty Images, 2ndLookGraphics/E+ Collection via Getty Images. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. 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. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation A monster? Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. 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. 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. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. 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. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. Legends of the Rougarou. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. The friend forgot her purse in the car. 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. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. Where can you find a Rougarou? However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. Driving west on Airline Hwy. I was thinking the same. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Offer subject to change without notice. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. Were not afraid. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. For Foret and many other Cajun residents in the area, the real possibility that climate change will eventually force them from their homes is particularly upsetting. If 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. These monsters are said to roam the cities, swamps, and scary places of Louisiana in search of their next victims, and its to your benefit to stay educated if you want any hope of survival. 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 . Let us know in the comments below! Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . "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. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. 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. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? Thats no werewolf, though. Who knows what it is? On a different occasion that same Laplace man was out in the swamp with these two Doberman pinchers when he spotted a 7 foot tall bi-pedal creature that caused the dogs to run off. Well written and well documented. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. This a great article!! 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. If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! 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. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. We love meat too, but come on. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. Thanks for sharing it with us! Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. Stories of cajun folklore monsters have been passed down for decadescenturies even. Required fields are marked *. The officers came around the corner of the house and saw a creature standing up, pressed against the side of the house, trying to maintain cover. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. 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. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. 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 creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed. Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. 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. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . 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. 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 close friend of the family who was on . I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. 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. 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. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. 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. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. The commuter stated Unlike the sloth, it was man-like. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report #514. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. 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. Despite your personal beliefs in the supernatural, these legends abound and continue to be told in the cajun lands to this day. Whatever he saw had Mr. Nameless so unsettled that even from the safety of his truck was hesitant to pass where the creature had crossed. 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. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. March 18th 2022 was the full moon or the Worm Moon and as I was driving down i49 something crossed the road it was almost like a creature I seen in Scooby-Doo doo it ran so fast across the highway on 2 feet and was so tall. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. I want more! The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. 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. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. 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. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. "This thing had a flat back. Its fingernails are grisly claws. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. 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. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. 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. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. Deep in the rural wooded swamp of Livingston Parish and young girl was having a friend of hers spend the night. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. The seminary student stood still, they got the impression that the source of the noise was moving along a path in the woods and getting closer. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. 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. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. All rights reserved. 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. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. Apparently, when a person changes into a Rougarou they forget how to count past 12 (probably since they only worry about midnight and the moon at this point). 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. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. 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. The Rougarou is often also associated with the Skunk Ape or the Honey Island Swamp Monster, likely due to another variation of the myth that states the creature is a shapeshifter that can change forms between human and animal at will, sometimes making it seem more like a swamp Sasquatch than a werewolf. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. 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. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. 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. We may never really find out.. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! See. A version from the 16th century paints it as being seen as something similar to a genetic disorder, rather than the curse most other versions of the myth portray the Rougarou as being. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. 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. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. And then I realized that is what I saw! According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. 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 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. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Indigenous Desserts of Turtle Island With Mariah Gladstone, University of Massachusetts Entomology Collection, The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island, The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earths History, How Communities Are Uncovering Untold Black Histories, The Medieval Thieves Who Used Cats, Apes, and Turtles as Accomplices, The Haunting True Story of Bridget Clearys Changeling Murder, Beware Montanas Shunka Warakin, the 'Rocky Mountain Hyena', Beware the Wendigo, the Frostbitten Flesheater of North Americas Chilly Heartland, Beware the Skinwalkers, Werewolf Witches of the American Southwest, Beware the Thunderbird, Badass Cryptid of the Skies, Show & Tell With Antiquarian Horologist Nico Cox, How Singapore's Haw Par Villa Brings Hell to Life, This Once-Thriving Hotel Couldn't Compete With Climate Change. 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. In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. 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. 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. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. 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. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Theres an annual Rougarou Festival in Houma every year, and the Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has a Rougarou exhibit, which includes a statue of the creature in all its swampy glory. 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 cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. 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. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. 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. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. Strange noise ? HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. 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. 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. Generations of children have heard the scary. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. . Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. 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).