In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. We cant make this stuff up. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). It was also preached that French Catholics that broke the Lent seven years in a row would be hunted down and killed by the beast. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being 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." As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. 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. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. The Rougarou myth is even so prevalent that the term "rougarouing" or similar terms have become used to describe a person who stays up late or is active at night. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. Rougarou - Wikipedia The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! Honey Island Swamp Monster Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - Paranormal Outlaw In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. 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. In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. On a different occasion that same Laplace man was out in the swamp with these two Doberman pinchers when he spotted a 7 foot tall bi-pedal creature that caused the dogs to run off. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. 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. 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. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. There was a problem saving your notification. Such monster makeovers are common. 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. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! Theres a howl in the near distance. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. 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. 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. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! The friend forgot her purse in the car. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. 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 . 4 Unique Tales of the Rougarou from Southern Louisiana - OnlyInYourState This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. So this happened to me a few years ago, I was visiting a friend's house in the Houston River area, that section of the river is pretty swampy so we were frog hunting at night. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. 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. Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. He flagged me down to speak with me. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings - Rougarou's Cursed blog Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. Who knows what it is? It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. 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. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. 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 rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. "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. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. That these creatures are flesh and blood, but the reason they go undetected is because they are inter-dimensional beings that pop in and out of our reality. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. 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. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. The Rougarou, The Louisiana Swamp Werewolf - YouTube He let his mind wander. 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 a great article!! The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. Your email address will not be published. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. Thanks for sharing it with us! 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. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. Wow, thank you for that insight! Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. Louisiana Werewolf: Rougarou of the Bayou - Exemplore 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. What is the Rougarou? 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. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Curious Louisiana answers. 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. 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. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. 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. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. We may never really find out.. "This thing had a flat back. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. 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. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. 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. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). 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. 51. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. Legends of the Rougarou. Rougarou the Louisiana Monster Werewolf - Any Mystery Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. 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. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. The Legends Of This Mythical Creature In Louisiana Are Terrifying But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. 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. 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. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. 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. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. The question nagged him into adulthood. 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. March 18th 2022 was the full moon or the Worm Moon and as I was driving down i49 something crossed the road it was almost like a creature I seen in Scooby-Doo doo it ran so fast across the highway on 2 feet and was so tall. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. History of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf - Pelican State of Mind