rougarou sightings in louisiana
Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. 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. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Required fields are marked *. 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. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. Its too late to turn back! 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. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! A monster? The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. 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. According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. He let his mind wander. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. The officer that submitted this report has over 40 years in military and law enforcement, a degree in Anthropology, and self educated in Darwinism, math and quantum physics. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. 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. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. Mr. Nameless is still is not 100% sure what he saw that evening down Peavine Road, but from time to time he still thinks, and wonders what that large dark figure that crossed his path could be. When I asked Mr. Nameless if the creature was covered in hair he told me that he could not make out any detail other than the figure was large, and almost black. For those of you who haven't heard th. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. 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. 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. 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). 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. The man dropped his gun and ran. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who dont follow the rules of Lent, which is similar to the telling of the old French stories. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. Where can you find a Rougarou? And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! "Who. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. Definitely a loup-garou. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. What is the Rougarou? 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. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. The Rougarou: Southern Louisiana The legends of the rougarou, or loup-garou, have been passed down from generation to generation as long as Louisiana has been inhabited by modern man. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. 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. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. 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. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! 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. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. Its fingernails are grisly claws. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. 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. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. 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. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. 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. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. Who knows what it is? Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. 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." The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. See. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. 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. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. 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. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. We love meat too, but come on. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! The short answer is oral tradition. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 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. The anonyms Laplace man said he was out near Ruddock with a friend, they were clearing land with a bulldozer when they came across footprints in the mud that were at least 19 inches in length. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 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. Did your house get ransacked during the night? Driving west on Airline Hwy. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. 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. 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. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. 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. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. 51. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? 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. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. No purchase necessary. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. Stories of cajun folklore monsters have been passed down for decadescenturies even. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. Its true! This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. The friend described a chilling encounter one warm morning. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 4. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. 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. Well written and well documented. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. Your email address will not be published. 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. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. The commuter stated Unlike the sloth, it was man-like. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report #514. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Too afraid to move, he watched as a figure about 8 feet tall and hairy from head to toe passed slowly below him, eventually disappearing further into the woods. A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the report. Offer subject to change without notice. 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. 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. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. 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. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. 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. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. 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. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. I was thinking the same. 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. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. This is why I always read terms and conditions. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. . 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. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. "This thing had a flat back. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. That kind of transformation happens and I suspect that whats going on with this festival., But unlike sexy vampires or friendly alligators, Forets rougarou has been reimagined to champion a specific cause: protecting its habitat, which in turn will protect our own. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. 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. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. Foret grew up in southern Louisiana, between the Atchafalaya Basin and New Orleans, where stories of the rougarou are most often heardand he wouldnt venture into wooded areas at night because of them. 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. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. I suppose anything is possible, and while the Bigfoot sighting phenomena originated in the Pacific Northwest, it seems more than plausible that such a creature could exist here. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! 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. You have permission to edit this article. Despite your personal beliefs in the supernatural, these legends abound and continue to be told in the cajun lands to this day. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Curious Louisiana answers. In the legend, this beast is often described as having the body of a man and the head of a wolf or a dog and prowls Louisiana swamps looking for misbehaving children. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? 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. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: 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. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities.
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