Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 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 Same LObservateur article that mentioned the Laplace mans sighting near Ruddock in 1983, also makes mention of another Laplace man that had a strange encounter on top of the levee near Bayou Steel. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. 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. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. 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. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. 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. The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. Required fields are marked *. Why do Bud's Broiler's burger prices conflict? Your email address will not be published. No purchase necessary. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. I need to do some more research on those spirits! I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. 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. 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. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. 51. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. 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. Turns out voodoo is still in. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. Required fields are marked *. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. 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. Where can you find a Rougarou? 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. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? Your email address will not be published. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. 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). ", 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 . This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. This is why I always read terms and conditions. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. We know what you are probably thinking. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. 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. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. Its true! The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. Driving west on Airline Hwy. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. 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. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). 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 . The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. 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. 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. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. 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. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. 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. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. In an interview conducted by Carter Buschardt, the officer stated that he went back to look at the end of shift report he filed the night of the encounter, but was unable to find the report. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. 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. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. Generations of children have heard the scary. Thanks for sharing it with us! Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. The rougarou is closely related to the European version of the werewolf but has a few very distinct differences from the wolfmen seen in movies and on television. It was a full moon so it made spotting the Bullfrogs easier "super tasty btw", anyway we're wondering down by the . The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. 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. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Had me captured. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. 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. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. 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 instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. 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. 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. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. 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. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. 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. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. 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. What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. Witches?Witch doctors! Honey Island Swamp Monster Offer subject to change without notice. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. 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 source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. Curious Louisiana answers. 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 two young women decided they would go to the car together. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. 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. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? 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. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. 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. 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. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 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. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. 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. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Your email address will not be published. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. The question nagged him into adulthood. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. There was a problem saving your notification. In 1974, Ford, a wildlife photographer and former air traffic controller, claimed to have witnessed the creature while exploring potential hunting grounds. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. Curious Louisiana answers. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. Such monster makeovers are common. 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. 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. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. 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.
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