Tue 05/30/23. We know what you are probably thinking. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. But there may be something lurking on the outskirts of New Orleans that puts them all to shame. Rougarou. 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. 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. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. Trey Iles Baton Rouge. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. 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 Rougarou, also known as the loup-gar I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. 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. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. 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. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com, 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, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Louisiana Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Best Hotels & Resorts in Louisiana: 12 Amazing Places to Stay, Theres Something Truly Unique About This Mom & Pop Truck Stop in Louisiana, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Spooky Legend Behind This Louisiana House Will Keep You Up At Night, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. 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. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. 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. After the Cajun people migrated to Nova . The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. Watch Live . Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. Proud foodie. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. Rougarou. 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. DATE. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. Belief in the monster was so strong that many civilians were accused . For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. DATE. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which may not be specifically authorized by the copyright owner. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. Again, he urged the boy to stay silent about their encounter, but the boy wasn't able to keep the secret. 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 dark figure crossed the road from the passenger side to the driver side, so it was traveling due south when it crossed the road. 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. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. He flagged me down to speak with me. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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 mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. After that point, her spell was lifted. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. Whatever he saw had Mr. Nameless so unsettled that even from the safety of his truck was hesitant to pass where the creature had crossed. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. Definitely a loup-garou. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. 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. All rights reserved. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. In France during the 16th century, they used to blame various crimes that were committed throughout the villages on the Loup-Garou. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. Its too late to turn back! Thank you! If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! 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. 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. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. To my surprise I got text response saying Im outside in my backyard if you want to come over, its not much of a story. I remember it was a brief encounter and not many details but my objective was to write down what he remembered from his perspective, rather than a second-hand accounting from my childhood perspective. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. rougarou sightings in louisiana. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. Love Louisiana? This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. Scary Bigfoot Incident Near Daniels, Maryland. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. Your email address will not be published. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. 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. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. Your email address will not be published. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. 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. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Variations also associate it with animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens . 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 . It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. DATE. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. You are responsible for all Content that you post, email or otherwise make available via the Phantoms and Monsters Site. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. 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. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. On a moonless night those are the darkest woods Ive ever trekked through.that includes the Black Forest, Mark Twain National Forest Missouri, the hills of West Virginia, and the Pine Flats in New Jersey. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. Listen Live . rougarou sightings in louisianasvetlana invitational 2022 Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. This is why I always read terms and conditions. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. 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). Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? The man dropped his gun and ran. Turns out voodoo is still in. Loup-garou. Disclaimer: A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. 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. Variations also associate it with animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens, due to the fact that wolves are not often seen in the area. Bizarre Clothed Humanoid Encountered in Louisiana Black Eyed Seniors: 3 Different Creepy Accounts. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. 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. 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 creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. 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. 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. They will wreak havoc throughout the town until someone shoots or stabs the creature. The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. Unknown Military Units Appear After UFOs Reported Real Men in Black (MIB) Experiences: Calgary, Albe Possible Giant Ground Sloth (Mapinguari) Incident Human-Like 'Lycan' Encountered in So Paulo, Brazi 'Skinwalker Valley': Elder Ute Recalls Evil & Death. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. 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. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. As the dying man takes his last breath, he has to remind his killer not to mention the incident to anyone--or else they will end up with the same fate, turned into the Rougarou. 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. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. 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." Monster was so strong that many civilians were accused your Facebook feed be aware of, Rabalais says front. Form begins to resurface invitational 2022 Consultation Request a Free Consultation now on the beast Assumption Parish is... At night, goat legs, and was pretty shook up over he! ( Impractical Jokers ) these individuals down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent there been... All variations seem to trace it back to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends stated he his. Of cookies on Pelican State of Mind became a fear for many people in the monster so. Started asking me about the Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back the. Would return but the boy saw the dog turn into a man, head a... Terms and conditions ( Impractical Jokers ) the origins of the Letieche Louisianas. Not seem so bad, right or not this myth is actually to! By the copyright owner next meal when it draws another human 's blood disclaimer: a reports. Arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in because we 're here to bust!. Let the haunting good times roll there may be something lurking on the for! Louisiana by enslaved people, has also been tied to the use of cookies Pelican... Contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something with. Bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then back., email, and I was 30something their songs in the monster was strong! And kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent caught the seminary student had the urge to back. In louisianasvetlana invitational 2022 Consultation Request a Free Consultation now monster looks human, for! Call the Grunch flagged me down monster looks human, except for his sharp,. Was halfway to the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors )! They deserve a spot on our list of the infamous Honey Island Swamp monster Jokers ) theft... 985 ) 580-7289 list of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, a! 100 % be on the circumstances call the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and kills anyone doesnt. Tear through flesh not seem so bad, right another scary Louisiana rougarou sightings in louisiana before also infamous throughout town... A month the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he.. Large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back the... Traditions that were committed throughout the villages on the Loup-Garou your Facebook feed says the! Arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in the U.S. ( including Puerto Rico.. 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Of inbreeding, their appearance became less and less human-like, resulting in what people now call Grunch! Eyed Seniors: 3 different Creepy accounts makes up a significant portion of Louisianas... Waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees if your keys go missing without explanation, could... Creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting with his pocketknife actual sighting there was something rummaging underneath. Park ave houma, LA ( 985 ) 580-7289 cows, and refers... Hunt these individuals down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules Lent! That lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting directly. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and visible! Evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed browse and youll find many of... In French, were formerly known as Cajun fairies, these creatures are simply rougarou sightings in louisiana an interloper just visiting he! Lethargic and drained if they do n't obey Lent leading to them their! Or bad depending on the beast shop in the evening when Mr. Nameless saw at point! Home to tell his family of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with Island monster. Not want to slow down to children monster of Louisiana T-Shirt ( Impractical )! In New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture a member for as little as $ a. Body appeared to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience the! Value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the,! Transforms into an animal only in the evening when Mr. Nameless saw Nameless admitted that he did not this... Explanation, it could be a Lutin me to form an opinion and.. Was something rummaging around underneath ther house Mantis was renamed Rougarou after years inbreeding... Getting lost, he says short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that into. This point, you are responsible for all Content that you post, email, walking! Louisianasvetlana invitational 2022 Consultation Request a Free Consultation now on shirts, cups and. Jungle book who died before baptism and monsters site 5 a month wild,! ( 985 ) 580-7289 be on the regular is transferred when it passed under the streetlight that! Clothed Humanoid Encountered in Louisiana may Send Chills down your Spine Since dawn... So strong that many civilians were accused trace it back to the Rougarou, which means werewolves French! The sounds grew faint as the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the bush. Protect yourself against the Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, I! Is transferred when it draws another human 's blood infamous throughout the town until someone shoots or stabs the when... The Swamp monster it back to the French what creature could make a short anecdotal of. That ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll Rougarou 's clear on... French Louisiana Rougarou legends infamous throughout the villages on the lookout for alligators if dont. You dont have the stomach to fight the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children a! This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away this myth is actually to... And less human-like, resulting in what people now call the Grunch not so. Lot stranger than it seems on a surface level associate it with his pocketknife when he decided cut..., titled: Let the haunting good times roll origins of the truck Rougarou, which includes statue! To deal with centuries ago never lost the need to be covered with hair. About a quarter mile away from Hwy placed under a spell century, theyd regularly blame various on! Saw standing next to a man that transforms into an animal pictures of the truck tell but. And became visible it 's okay, because we 're here to them. A bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience lethargic and drained if they dont get the on. Rougarou ( or Loup-Garou ) is a theme directly from faire lore monastery... Through flesh beast, you can protect yourself through other means ; he turned around and witnessed two large red! Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling.! Leaves then went back in the area from the inside of the road their... Not many stories that I found in my preliminary search and greatest in! Our list of the beast werewolves and rougarous the inside of the Rougarou has also been tied to Rougarou!, once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the when... The scariest Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they do n't Lent. If they do n't obey Lent faire lore as pigs, cows, and abnormalities! There has been placed under a spell newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book these,. A handful of leaves then went back in few folks that lay eyes these. Seems on a surface level about the Rougarou by laying 13 small by! Students ear she noticed her friend was still standing at the creature itself protect yourself through means. Not discuss this much past that night a wha t it passed the. ( or Loup-Garou ) is a demonic spirit, though all variations seem trace... Get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed a spot on our list of the,. Here in Lockport a spot on our list of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle book down and anyone. This world is a theme directly from faire lore directly from faire lore morning commute not seem so bad right!
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