Our parents would say things like, you better behave or the rougarou is gonna get you, says Jonathan Foret, a native of Terrebonne Parish, a patchwork of bayou and lowlands on the Gulf shore. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. With the head of a werewolf and the body of a man, the creature is said to prey on misbehaving children and dates back to medieval France. The creature stood upright on two legs. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. Discovering the Rougarou - ArcGIS StoryMaps Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. 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. Offer subject to change without notice. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Who knows what it is? Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Your email address will not be published. In this version, the Rougarou is in human form during the day, only transforming at night, meaning he could blend in with society and no one would ever know! Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. The earliest report takes place in the swampy forest of Back Vacherie in 1891.An excerpt from Along The River Road, Past and Present on LouisianasHistoric Byway by Mary Ann Sternberg. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover One man hopes to turn the wolfish cryptid into a mascot for saving the state's imperiled wetlands. Legend of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. 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. This a great article!! The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. The man dropped his gun and ran. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. Legends of the Rougarou. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. 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 dark figure crossed the road from the passenger side to the driver side, so it was traveling due south when it crossed the road. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. Lougarou | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. 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. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. 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. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. For those of you who haven't heard th. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. Were not afraid. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. Definitely a loup-garou. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. 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. Your email address will not be published. So this happened to me a few years ago, I was visiting a friend's house in the Houston River area, that section of the river is pretty swampy so we were frog hunting at night. 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. Witches?Witch doctors! The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. 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. 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. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. Loup-garou. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. 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. 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. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below! 4. Thank you! Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. Its too late to turn back! There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." The question nagged him into adulthood. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf" : cryptids - reddit It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. 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. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. 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 . "This thing had a flat back. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. The Grunch: A Chupacabra on the Louisiana Bayou - Exemplore Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. 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." "Who. Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou | PeachTown 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. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. Honey Island Swamp Monster The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. 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. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. 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. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. 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. 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. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed. Rougarou - Wikipedia It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. Did your house get ransacked during the night? 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 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. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. 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. The seminary student stood still, they got the impression that the source of the noise was moving along a path in the woods and getting closer. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? 51. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. Such monster makeovers are common. In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. 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. 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. 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. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. Wow, thank you for that insight! The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. Louisiana's Rougarou Fest - Enchanted Living Magazine Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. Bobby Brettel grew up in New Orleans, nearly 40 miles away from the moss-tangled bayous of eastern St. Tammany Parish's Honey Island Swamp. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - Paranormal Outlaw Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. 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. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence in local culture and beyond. 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. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. 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 enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. 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. 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.
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