This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). We cant make this stuff up. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. The question nagged him into adulthood. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. The seminary student continued to stand still to observe further when the creature started to pace back in fourth just out of sight, beyond the tree line, all why still producing the strange whimpers. Curious Louisiana answers. Thank you! When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. 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. 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. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. Years later, as a middle school teacher, hed mention the beast to his students only to learn theyd never heard of it. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! These monsters are said to roam the cities, swamps, and scary places of Louisiana in search of their next victims, and its to your benefit to stay educated if you want any hope of survival. 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 lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. 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. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. 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 creature stood upright on two legs. 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. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Enjoy these allegedly. No one agrees what it looks like because they dont really have wolves in this part of our country, says Nathan J. Rabalais, author of Folklore Figures of French and Creole Louisiana. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. 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. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. There are also stories of an enormous monster that also shares the bayou with the Rougarou and that is the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisiana's "bigfoot of the swamp." 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 . This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. After Ford's death, a grainy film reel was found in his attic that shows a large and hairy figure shuffling upright between the trees. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Legends of the Rougarou. Honey Island Swamp Monster Did your house get ransacked during the night? The man dropped his gun and ran. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." Theres a howl in the near distance. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! 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 neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. Let us know in the comments below! Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. 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. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. Perhaps this giant was not a fan of small talk, and from the direction of travel I suspect the giant was heading home to Chackbay. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! While you're in Houma, don't forget to stop by A-Bear's, home to some of the most delicious homemade desserts in Louisiana. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. He and his partner were a part of a unit in Jefferson Parish that were first responders to criminal calls, making this a most credible report. The commuter stated Unlike the sloth, it was man-like. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report #514. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Required fields are marked *. There was a problem saving your notification. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. Some legends of the beast say it can only be killed by fire, others say it can be killed while its in its vulnerable human form. 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. 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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. 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. And then I realized that is what I saw! 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. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. 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. Dont believe us? For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. An illegal moonshine distilling business once drove much of the area's economy, but competition could be shot down without any repercussions, according to the article. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. Louisiana native. Where can you find a Rougarou? The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." She described it also as being tall and hairy and went on to further say that it was almost so white it was glowing. She also described the creature to be staring in her direction. Thank you! He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. There was a significant belief in the beast by the populace that people were put on trial and found guilty of being the fabled beast. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? 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. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. Such monster makeovers are common. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. Get more stories delivered right to your email. We love meat too, but come on. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. The Rougarou: Southern Louisiana The legends of the rougarou, or loup-garou, have been passed down from generation to generation as long as Louisiana has been inhabited by modern man. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. 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. 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. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. 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. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. 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. 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. No matter how you spell it, the Rougarou, Roux-Ga-Roux, Rugaroo, Rugaru, or Loup Garou is a werewolf type creature living in the folklore of Cajun French Louisiana. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. I want more! Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. The brave friend continued on to the car, opened the door and started to feel around in the dark for the purse in the passenger seat. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. The friend forgot her purse in the car. . All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. Turns out voodoo is still in. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! The friend described a chilling encounter one warm morning. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. Driving west on Airline Hwy. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. Offer subject to change without notice. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition.
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