Had me captured. Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. If you decide to attend the festival or find yourself around the swamps, make sure to remember the tricks and tactics we covered in this article. 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. 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. 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 student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. 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. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! 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 . The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover Strange noise ? 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . 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. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. 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. Curious Louisiana answers. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Your email address will not be published. I want more! The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. 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). Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. Its true! Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. 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. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Crafty. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. I 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. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. 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. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. What is the Rougarou? | Louisiana Swamp Base 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. In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Just Might Be Louisianas Biggest And Baddest Foodie Event, The Historic Restaurant In Louisiana Where You Can Still Experience The Old American South, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Sweetport In Louisiana, This Train Restaurant In Louisiana Is The Most Enchanting Place To Eat, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You Chills, The Story Behind This Legendary Swamp Monster In Louisiana Will Give You The Chills, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On, Wanderluster/E+ Collection via Getty Images, Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images, Troy Harrison/Moment Collection via Getty Images, 2ndLookGraphics/E+ Collection via Getty Images. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. 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. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. 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 same 12 year old child claims that about a month after, they were out with the same cousin in the woods that bordered their neighborhood, when they spotted a bush along the train track shake. The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. 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. Thank you! 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. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The friend forgot her purse in the car. Required fields are marked *. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. 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. If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! We know what you are probably thinking. For more information, visit the Rougarou Fest website, and don't forget to give them a follow on Facebook so you don't miss out on any announcements. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? 9 REAL Sightings of the Rougarou | Darkness Prevails - YouTube Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. 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. 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. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. 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 two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. The rougarou once served to scare adults into being good Catholics, and children into staying home after dark, Rabalais says, adding, Now there are other things to be scared of, like rising water levels and hurricanes.. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. 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. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. The officer that submitted this report has over 40 years in military and law enforcement, a degree in Anthropology, and self educated in Darwinism, math and quantum physics. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. Louisiana native. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. I remember he kept repeating something to the effect of look, Im not sure what I saw. At that time the only reference I had to Bigfoot was a few TV shows and a book I checked out a few times from my schools library. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. 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. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! 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. 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. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf" : cryptids - reddit However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. The monster has its own Wikipedia pageand has been the source of numerous news stories and documentaries. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Indigenous Desserts of Turtle Island With Mariah Gladstone, University of Massachusetts Entomology Collection, The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island, The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earths History, How Communities Are Uncovering Untold Black Histories, The Medieval Thieves Who Used Cats, Apes, and Turtles as Accomplices, The Haunting True Story of Bridget Clearys Changeling Murder, Beware Montanas Shunka Warakin, the 'Rocky Mountain Hyena', Beware the Wendigo, the Frostbitten Flesheater of North Americas Chilly Heartland, Beware the Skinwalkers, Werewolf Witches of the American Southwest, Beware the Thunderbird, Badass Cryptid of the Skies, Show & Tell With Antiquarian Horologist Nico Cox, How Singapore's Haw Par Villa Brings Hell to Life, This Once-Thriving Hotel Couldn't Compete With Climate Change. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. 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. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. Your email address will not be published. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. 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. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf - Exemplore 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. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. This a great article!! The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings - Rougarou's Cursed blog An estimated 15,000 people now attend Rougarou Festival, which still manages to provide a very genuine peek into a culture and a land unlike any other in the world. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. 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. 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 two young women decided they would go to the car together. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. 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. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. Its fingernails are grisly claws. See. And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. You have permission to edit this article. 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. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. 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. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou.