Logic would dictate that any such creature living in southeast Louisiana would appear thinner in both frame and hair because of the climate and wet conditions. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. What is a Rougarou, Exactly? - CryptoVille The question nagged him into adulthood. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. Did your house get ransacked during the night? It's okay, because we're here to bust them! This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. USA Today ranked the Rougarou Fest as one of the top 10 costume parties in the country, and you can join in the fun and compete in the contest. Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. 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. 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. Lougarou | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. 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. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - The Daily Advertiser The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. This is why I always read terms and conditions. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being What I saw scared the life out of me. A story in The Daily Comet titled "Tales of The Rougarou Still Haunt Local Memories" states, "In the past, rumors about strange or eccentric neighbors would float through small bayou communities, labeling various people as the dreaded Rougarou." 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. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. 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. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. Required fields are marked *. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. I need to do some more research on those spirits! 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. He flagged me down to speak with me. Rougarou Fest | Houma, Louisiana Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. 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. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. 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 Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. 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. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. I found a report from Civil War veteran Fredrick Kliebert who was walking home from a squirrel hunt when he saw what he described as a giant. The Rougarou, The Louisiana Swamp Werewolf - YouTube 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. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. [12] However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. Your email address will not be published. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. An estimated 15,000 people now attend Rougarou Festival, which still manages to provide a very genuine peek into a culture and a land unlike any other in the world. 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. In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. 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. 22. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. . Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. 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. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! 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. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. The creature stood upright on two legs. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. The French Catholics claimed that you would be turned into a loup-garou if you did not follow the rules of Lent for seven consecutive years. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. Strange noise ? We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Foret recalls hearing of one legendary rougarou run-in, when a young boy out for a stroll, armed with only his oyster knife, encountered the creature. 9 REAL Sightings of the Rougarou | Darkness Prevails - YouTube Wow, thank you for that insight! The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. We love meat too, but come on. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. Louisiana native. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? The court would ask the public if they believed the accused to be a loup-garou, and usually the public agreed (mainly for fear that theyd be outed as a witch or a loup-garou themselves). For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. 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. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. 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. 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. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. Crafty. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. "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. Required fields are marked *. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. 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. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. Love Louisiana? 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. mystery of Marie Laveau, Louisianas Voodoo Queen, Jacques St. Germain, The Infamous Louisiana Vampire, Jean Lafitte: Mystery of the Unfound Treasure, History of the Louisiana Snowball and Its Flavors. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. Who knows what it is? The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. 8 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore | PeachTown Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Definitely a loup-garou. The 2015 short film Atchafalaya centers around a game warden searching in a Louisiana swamp for a missing person who is hinted to have been taken by a loup-garou. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. 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. According to two deputies who refused to have their names published for fear of retaliation, killers knew they could disappear into the swamp's thick fog, their whereabouts untrackable by officers or bloodhounds. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. The Rougarou ---- The Louisiana Swamp Monster - YouTube People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. 4. 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. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. 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. Proud foodie. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. Your email address will not be published. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. We may never really find out.. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! 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. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. 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 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. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. Loup-garou. In a new subdivision that was still being developed named Sheryls Meadows, a 12 year old riding their mini-bike along with their cousin saw a lumbering creature approximately 500 yards away. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. The basic tale of Rougarou is one of a half man, half wolf that prowls the Louisiana swamps, looking for Catholics that have broken Lent or broken Catholic rules in other ways. The next day Mr. Nameless, his older brother, and a mutual friend went ride back out to Peavine. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. Louisiana Werewolf: Rougarou of the Bayou - Exemplore It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. 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. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Its true! The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. The Caribbean island nation of Haiti, already steeped in the dark lore of zombies and voodoo magic, also has its own version of the infamous werewolf, which they call the je-rouges, or "red eyes." It is also referred to it as the French loup-garou and by the Creole word lougarou. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. Witches?Witch doctors! Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. "Who. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation 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. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. I want more! 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. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. Was there really a monster in the swamps? If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. 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. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. 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. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! 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. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. He let his mind wander. 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 . 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. Foret is now director of the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a nonprofit that educates students, in the classroom and on field trips, about the challenges of sea level rise, climate change, and living in a coastal communityone still recovering from 2021s Hurricane Ida. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. Upright Canine (Possible 'Rougarou') Encountered in Beauregard Parish The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. Thats no werewolf, though. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. There are also stories of an enormous monster that also shares the bayou with the Rougarou and that is the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisiana's "bigfoot of the swamp." 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 . The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. 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.