Generations of children have heard the scary. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. 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. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Foret grew up in southern Louisiana, between the Atchafalaya Basin and New Orleans, where stories of the rougarou are most often heardand he wouldnt venture into wooded areas at night because of them. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. Years later, as a middle school teacher, hed mention the beast to his students only to learn theyd never heard of it. The Legend of the Louisiana Swamp Werewolf Known as the Rougarou, or sometimes as the Loup-Garou This Legend is said that the creature has prowled for hundreds of years in the swamps Show more. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. For those of you who haven't heard th. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. 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. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. 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. 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. 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. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. 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. Proud foodie. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. 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. It throws its head back, letting out a blood-curdling howl to the moon. We know what you are probably thinking. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. This is why I always read terms and conditions. The history of the Rougarou is centuries-old and has many different origins, but the earliest mention of the infamous, mythical Louisiana werewolf comes from medieval France. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. 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. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. Required fields are marked *. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. 22. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. . The Same LObservateur article that mentioned the Laplace mans sighting near Ruddock in 1983, also makes mention of another Laplace man that had a strange encounter on top of the levee near Bayou Steel. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. 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. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. Loup-garou. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. A close friend of the family who was on . There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. I was thinking the same. Im not making this up. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Curious Louisiana answers. Love Louisiana? Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. Your email address will not be published. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. Enjoy these allegedly. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. We may never really find out.. Curious Louisiana answers. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. 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. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. Who knows what it is? Did your house get ransacked during the night? The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? A monster? 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. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. It was still very much daylight when this happened but the only detail he could make out was that the creature was upright and a bipedal hominid, dark in color. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. 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 Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. 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. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. 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. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? I want more! That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? 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. 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. If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. 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. Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. And then I realized that is what I saw! 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. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. 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 short answer is oral tradition. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. Your email address will not be published. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. 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. 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). By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. Where can you find a Rougarou? We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. 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. Were not afraid. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. We love meat too, but come on. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. It was a full moon so it made spotting the Bullfrogs easier "super tasty btw", anyway we're wondering down by the . "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. 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 K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. Dont believe us? 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. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The question nagged him into adulthood. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. 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 . Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad.
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