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. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Im not making this up. Your email address will not be published. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. This a great article!! Generations of children have heard the scary. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". 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. Was there really a monster in the swamps? 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. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? But first, lets dive into some of its histories. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. For those of you who haven't heard th. Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. 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. A monster? In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. 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). You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. 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. The 2015 short film Atchafalaya centers around a game warden searching in a Louisiana swamp for a missing person who is hinted to have been taken by a loup-garou. It throws its head back, letting out a blood-curdling howl to the moon. 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. I want more! In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Enjoy these allegedly. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, 6 Exercises You Can Do with a Resistance Band, 4 Southern Traditions You Should Know About. Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Curious Louisiana answers. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. The name changed to rougarou in Cajun Louisiana because l and r are linguistically liquid consonants and they change places a lot, says Barry Jean Ancelet, a Cajun folklorist and professor emeritus with the University of Lafayette. You have permission to edit this article. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. 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. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. According to two deputies who refused to have their names published for fear of retaliation, killers knew they could disappear into the swamp's thick fog, their whereabouts untrackable by officers or bloodhounds. 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. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. We cant make this stuff up. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? 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. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. 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. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. Thank you! 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. Despite the Rougarou legend seemingly beginning as a way to scare Catholics and children, many locals maintain its existence and have their own personal stories, especially among the older generation. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. 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. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The officers came around the corner of the house and saw a creature standing up, pressed against the side of the house, trying to maintain cover. Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. 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. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. Driving west on Airline Hwy. Dont believe us? Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. Louisiana native. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. And then I realized that is what I saw! There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. 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. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. 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. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. 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. 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I hunt all over america and even in Africa a couple times ive run across crap that has made me avoid entire states and run across other things that i tried to stalk and kill one of these things i tried to kill is a loup garou i lived in deep louisiana until i was 11 i know about these things your gonna need some back story for this i subscribe to the idea that they are cursed humans and will have the curse till they die like wherewolves and the loup garou may even be a wherewolf because the only time ive ever found a claim of one that i couldnt easily blow off the description was the same as a where wolf like a humanoid grizzly bear on two legs with lots of steroids that aside i was doing some hunting one night for hog and saw a huge animal walk out stood 6 or 7 feet tall on two legs couldnt make out fine details due to light but i took a shot at it after i saw enough to realize it wasnt human i shot it in the head with a 45-70 those of you who dont get that its a rifle capable of taking large game like an elephant with one shot very strong round and for those of you who are gun people ill give some specs it was a 500 grain soft lead bullet hot loaded on 72 grains of powder (that doesnt sound like much but i shoot black powder in it not smokeless and no its not a muzzle loader it shoots brass cased bullets like a normal gun) anyway i hit it in the head and it got really pissed of and started to charge from about 200 yards away i shot it again in the chest and it ran off i spent the night tracking it mind you this all happemed at about 10 i only quit when i lost blood trail and foot print trail right around daylight i went home and that night there was a story of a man whos body had been found with two large holes that resembled bullet holes but it was ruled out because there was no trace of any lead or powder and he was drained of all his blood that chalked it up to a satanic ritual now to me it sounds like i killed a loup garou but hey maybe its still out there and just really pissed off. Definitely a loup-garou. 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. Folklore will have us believe that a Rougarou has the opportunity to change back to a human after 101 days, but only after finding another human who is willing to have the curse transferred to them. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. What is the Rougarou? After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. 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. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! And speaking of scaring Catholics, one French Catholic myth claims that in order for someone to turn into a Rougarou, they must break Lent seven years in a row. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. 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. 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. 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. The French Catholics claimed that you would be turned into a loup-garou if you did not follow the rules of Lent for seven consecutive years. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. 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. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. 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. Stories of cajun folklore monsters have been passed down for decadescenturies even. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. 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. 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. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. 51. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. 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. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! 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. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. 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. 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. If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. Turns out voodoo is still in. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! Too afraid to move, he watched as a figure about 8 feet tall and hairy from head to toe passed slowly below him, eventually disappearing further into the woods. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. 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. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. See. No purchase necessary. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. When they got to the spot they noticed the earth and surrounding plant life was disturbed like something big frequently passed there, a game trail of sorts. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. Theres a howl in the near distance. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. The friend forgot her purse in the car. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. 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. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. The Rougarou is often also associated with the Skunk Ape or the Honey Island Swamp Monster, likely due to another variation of the myth that states the creature is a shapeshifter that can change forms between human and animal at will, sometimes making it seem more like a swamp Sasquatch than a werewolf. 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. 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. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. 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. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie.
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