rougarou sightings in louisiana rougarou sightings in louisiana

A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. I need to do some more research on those spirits! If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. 51. 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. Rougarou Sightings According to a lady from Louisiana, a local child was being chased by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. 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. The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. 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. The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. 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. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. 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 question nagged him into adulthood. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). Rougarou Fest/Facebook. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. 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. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. 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. 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. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. all proceeds from rougarou fest go to the south louisiana wetlands discovery center click here to learn more. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover One man hopes to turn the wolfish cryptid into a mascot for saving the state's imperiled wetlands. 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. Who knows what it is? Wow, thank you for that insight! As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. 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. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. It happened to three of us on Texas river,not sure if it was real or not ,but what we heard was not native to Texas . They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. 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. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. . 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. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. 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. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! Your email address will not be published. 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. The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! 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. Years later, as a middle school teacher, hed mention the beast to his students only to learn theyd never heard of it. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. The Legend of the Louisiana Swamp Werewolf Known as the Rougarou, or sometimes as the Loup-Garou This Legend is said that the creature has prowled for hundreds of years in the swamps Show more. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Love Louisiana? This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! 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. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. Louisiana native. 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. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. The friend forgot her purse in the car. Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. 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. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. I was thinking the same. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. Legends of the Rougarou. 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. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Theres a howl in the near distance. 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. Your email address will not be published. Perhaps this giant was not a fan of small talk, and from the direction of travel I suspect the giant was heading home to Chackbay. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! Apparently that was a thing they did back then. A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the report. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. 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. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. Its too late to turn back! The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. 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. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. The name changed to rougarou in Cajun Louisiana because l and r are linguistically liquid consonants and they change places a lot, says Barry Jean Ancelet, a Cajun folklorist and professor emeritus with the University of Lafayette. 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. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. Its true! 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. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? In this version, the Rougarou is in human form during the day, only transforming at night, meaning he could blend in with society and no one would ever know! 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. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. 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. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. Some legends of the beast say it can only be killed by fire, others say it can be killed while its in its vulnerable human form. Glad the information was here. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. A close friend of the family who was on . There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. 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. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. 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. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. 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. 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. Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. And then I realized that is what I saw! All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. 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. 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 beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. Was there really a monster in the swamps? A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. 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. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? one football field of coastline was lost per hour. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you.