rougarou sightings in louisiana

He let his mind wander. The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. 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. No one agrees what it looks like because they dont really have wolves in this part of our country, says Nathan J. Rabalais, author of Folklore Figures of French and Creole Louisiana. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. 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. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. 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. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. 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. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. 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. The dark figure crossed the road from the passenger side to the driver side, so it was traveling due south when it crossed the road. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. 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. Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. 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. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Over the last century, hurricanes, sea level rise, and problematic development projects, such as damming the Mississippi River, have caused Louisiana to lose more than 2,000 square miles of land. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. He flagged me down to speak with me. 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. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. 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 Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. There was 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. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed. 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. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. The history of the Rougarou is centuries-old and has many different origins, but the earliest mention of the infamous, mythical Louisiana werewolf comes from medieval France. Its true! 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. This is why I always read terms and conditions. One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Country's answer to Bigfoot. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. 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. 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. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. Were not afraid. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. Legends of the Rougarou. 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. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils 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. 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. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. Such monster makeovers are common. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. 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. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. However, it is unlikely you will find any real pictures of a Rougarou, if there are any, as most claims of sighting have turned out to be a hoax. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. 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. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. 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. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! Offer subject to change without notice. Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. 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. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. Despite your personal beliefs in the supernatural, these legends abound and continue to be told in the cajun lands to this day. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. 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. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). The 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. Thank you! Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. Your email address will not be published. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. all proceeds from rougarou fest go to the south louisiana wetlands discovery center click here to learn more. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! A 9ft tall man with a black beard and what appeared to be a cloak of brown fur hanging from his neck by a rope. 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. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. 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. . We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Louisiana native. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. Love Louisiana? He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. Turns out voodoo is still in. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. 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. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the report. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. 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. Wow, thank you for that insight! Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 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 . Apparently that was a thing they did back then. 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. 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 getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. 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. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. 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. 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. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". I need to do some more research on those spirits! For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. No purchase necessary. 4. 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. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. 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. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. 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 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. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. It throws its head back, letting out a blood-curdling howl to the moon. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. Thank you! What I saw scared the life out of me. Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. For those of you who haven't heard th. 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. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. Deep in the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a mythical werewolf type creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." 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. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . 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. Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. Was there really a monster in the swamps? 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. 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. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. 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. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. 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 Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. 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. 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. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. 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. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. 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. Thats no werewolf, though. 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. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. 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. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 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. "This thing had a flat back. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? Theres a howl in the near distance. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. 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. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. 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. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. In another variation of the story, the half man half wolf monster targets and kills Catholics that have failed to follow the rules of Lent. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. The man dropped his gun and ran. Enjoy these allegedly. 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. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. 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 . 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. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. 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. Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road.

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