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. 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. 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. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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. 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 sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. 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. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. 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. 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! 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. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. 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). Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. 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. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . 2023 Atlas Obscura. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. The friend forgot her purse in the car. 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 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. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. While the officers were talking to the lady, a K-9 unit arrived on scene and when they began their search the dog alerted to something. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. "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. I was thinking the same. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? 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. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. 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. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? 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. Thats no werewolf, though. 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. 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. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. Definitely a loup-garou. 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. 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. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. For those of you who haven't heard th. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. 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. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. Loup-garou. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. 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 . I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. 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. He flagged me down to speak with me. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. 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. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. Your email address will not be published. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. See. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." 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. 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. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. 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. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. I want more! Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. 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. 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. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. 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. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. Legends of the Rougarou. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. "This thing had a flat back. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. The question nagged him into adulthood. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. The Rougarou is often also associated with the Skunk Ape or the Honey Island Swamp Monster, likely due to another variation of the myth that states the creature is a shapeshifter that can change forms between human and animal at will, sometimes making it seem more like a swamp Sasquatch than a werewolf. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! 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. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. And speaking of scaring Catholics, one French Catholic myth claims that in order for someone to turn into a Rougarou, they must break Lent seven years in a row. Folklore will have us believe that a Rougarou has the opportunity to change back to a human after 101 days, but only after finding another human who is willing to have the curse transferred to them. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Offer subject to change without notice. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? Crafty. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! 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. A close friend of the family who was on . Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? Proud foodie. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. 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. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. 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. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! 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 Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. 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. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. There are quite a few roads that are known to be haunted or spirited in Louisiana, but none is quite as infamous as Bayou Sale Road, a long curvy road that connects Dulac, LA to Cocodrie, LA. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. 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. 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 been told a different story about the Rougarou? The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. 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The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. A monster? It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. Deep in the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a mythical werewolf type creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. 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. We love meat too, but come on. Im not making this up. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. People who didnt have a lot of physical or social power in society found a way to survive through being clever., Even Louisianas infamous and very real alligators have undergone a rebranding. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. 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. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. Generations of children have heard the scary. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). I need to do some more research on those spirits! It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. The Husband also described the creature as being dark in color and large. Full report can be found on http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. 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 . Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. 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. 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. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time.