Rougarou the Louisiana Monster Werewolf - Any Mystery They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. Lougarou | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. . However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. 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. Proud foodie. Let us know in the comments below! One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. Required fields are marked *. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. The short answer is oral tradition. 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, 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. Was there really a monster in the swamps? Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. 9 REAL Sightings of the Rougarou | Darkness Prevails - YouTube Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. 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. 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Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Save the Swamp: But, Beware the "Rougarou" - The National Wildlife He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. 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." There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. 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. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Countrys answer to Bigfoot. Its too late to turn back! 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. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. I want more! According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. 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. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. Louisiana Urban Legends, Monsters, and Haunted Places He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. 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. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. The Rougarou, The Louisiana Swamp Werewolf - YouTube Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. No purchase necessary. Enjoy these allegedly. 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. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? 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. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? Louisiana native. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. 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. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. And then I realized that is what I saw! And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. In 1974, Ford, a wildlife photographer and former air traffic controller, claimed to have witnessed the creature while exploring potential hunting grounds. The Most Haunted Louisiana Road: Bayou Sale Road 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. For Foret and many other Cajun residents in the area, the real possibility that climate change will eventually force them from their homes is particularly upsetting. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. Such monster makeovers are common. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. 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 incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. Its true! The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. 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. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. Thank you! Where can you find a Rougarou? Required fields are marked *. For decades, the equivalent of one football field of coastline was lost per hour; while the rate has slowed, the regions long-term prognosis remains grim. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? There was a significant belief in the beast by the populace that people were put on trial and found guilty of being the fabled beast. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. Im not making this up. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. Your email address will not be published. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. A story in The Nicholls Worth, a local college paper, titled "Rougarou Remains Strong Figure in Cajun Folklore," recounts a story from a woman about an experience in her youth. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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 neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. 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). 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! Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. The Rougarou ---- The Louisiana Swamp Monster - YouTube That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. 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. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. 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. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. He let his mind wander. 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. 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. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. 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. We know what you are probably thinking. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. The creature stood upright on two legs. But for decades, hes wondered about one of the swamp's fabled creatures the Honey Island Swamp Monster, a legendary 500-pound beast that some claim hides amid the cypress trees andmurky waters. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. 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. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. 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.