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. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. No matter how you spell it, the Rougarou, Roux-Ga-Roux, Rugaroo, Rugaru, or Loup Garou is a werewolf type creature living in the folklore of Cajun French Louisiana. 8 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore | PeachTown Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I need to do some more research on those spirits! This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. He was only about 100 yards away when it crossed so a person would not of had time to get far enough to disappear into the swamp. 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 . Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". 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. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. 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. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - Paranormal Outlaw Definitely a loup-garou. Your email address will not be published. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. Were not afraid. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. Don't Miss The Best Festival In Louisiana, The Rougarou Fest Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. 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! He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Coming across this story made me reach out to Mr. Nameless to see if he would entertain the idea answering some questions about the experience he had in the early 90s. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. What I saw scared the life out of me. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. Who knows what it is? Lougarou | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. 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 swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. 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. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. 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. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. The next day Mr. Nameless, his older brother, and a mutual friend went ride back out to Peavine. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. 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. The short answer is oral tradition. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. Your email address will not be published. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Thank you! 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. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. Discovering the Rougarou - ArcGIS StoryMaps The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. 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 centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. I want more! In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. Was there really a monster in the swamps? It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. 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. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. After years of inbreeding, their appearance became less and less human-like, resulting in what people now call The Grunch. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. 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. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. 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. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." Rougarou - Wikipedia The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. 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. Mysterious Swamp Monsters of Louisiana We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. 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. "Who. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf" : cryptids - reddit 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. If you decide to attend the festival or find yourself around the swamps, make sure to remember the tricks and tactics we covered in this article. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. 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. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. 4. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below! Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. 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. Louisiana native. 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 think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. At first he thought it was a bear that was under the house causing a commotion, but as he approached the creature stood up and ran off into the swamp. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? 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. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. 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. 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. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - The Daily Advertiser Honey Island Swamp Monster As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Driving west on Airline Hwy. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation 4 Unique Tales of the Rougarou from Southern Louisiana - OnlyInYourState I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. The Rougarou Fest Is The Spookiest Festival In Louisiana - OnlyInYourState The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! 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. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. He and his partner were a part of a unit in Jefferson Parish that were first responders to criminal calls, making this a most credible report. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. 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. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. Your email address will not be published. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. Since Cajun dialect is a mix of French and English and well-known for changing words completely to roll off the tongue easier, the name of the beast changed from loup-garou to Rougarou (also spelled roux-ga-roux, rugaroo, or rugaru). Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. He let his mind wander. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. For those of you who haven't heard th. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. I dont remember verbatim what he told me that day but the gist of that conversation has stuck in my psyche with clarity for nearly 30 years. 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. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. The Rougarou, The Louisiana Swamp Werewolf - YouTube And then I realized that is what I saw! The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Just Might Be Louisianas Biggest And Baddest Foodie Event, The Historic Restaurant In Louisiana Where You Can Still Experience The Old American South, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Sweetport In Louisiana, This Train Restaurant In Louisiana Is The Most Enchanting Place To Eat, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You Chills, The Story Behind This Legendary Swamp Monster In Louisiana Will Give You The Chills, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On, Wanderluster/E+ Collection via Getty Images, Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images, Troy Harrison/Moment Collection via Getty Images, 2ndLookGraphics/E+ Collection via Getty Images. Its true! The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. Your email address will not be published. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. 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. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. After Ford's death, a grainy film reel was found in his attic that shows a large and hairy figure shuffling upright between the trees. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. I was compelled to dig in further to see if I could find more sighting reports in the Southeast Louisiana area, if only to substantiate these other reports. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. In the official report the officer filed he was honest, but kept the details to a minimum, it was a very tall dark figure, with no description of clothing. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. Curious Louisiana answers. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. 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. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. He flagged me down to speak with me. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live.