Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! 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. 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. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. 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. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. Generations of children have heard the scary. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. 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The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. 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. The trickster figure really went from being the bad guy, the one to watch out for, to being a hero, says Rabalais, adding that the shift reflected the reality of the people who told and retold the stories. 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. He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. We love meat too, but come on. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. See. 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. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. Despite your personal beliefs in the supernatural, these legends abound and continue to be told in the cajun lands to this day. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. 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. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. Whether the Rougarou is truly a cryptid stalking the streets at night just waiting to pass its curse on to the next unfortunate soul, or whether it is merely a tool used to scare Catholics into keeping Lent, it is clear that the Rougarou has left its mark on Southern Louisiana. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. Thats no werewolf, though. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. Required fields are marked *. 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. Proud foodie. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." The two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence in local culture and beyond. 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. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. 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. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. Its too late to turn back! At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. Where can you find a Rougarou? Such monster makeovers are common. 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. 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. In this version, the Rougarou is in human form during the day, only transforming at night, meaning he could blend in with society and no one would ever know! When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. 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. 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. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. Love Louisiana? Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. 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. The creature stood upright on two legs. No purchase necessary. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. 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. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. 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. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. Theres an annual Rougarou Festival in Houma every year, and the Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has a Rougarou exhibit, which includes a statue of the creature in all its swampy glory. It throws its head back, letting out a blood-curdling howl to the moon. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. 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. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. 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. The short answer is oral tradition. Its fingernails are grisly claws. 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. 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. 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. In 1974, Ford, a wildlife photographer and former air traffic controller, claimed to have witnessed the creature while exploring potential hunting grounds. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. 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. 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. 22. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. But for decades, hes wondered about one of the swamp's fabled creatures the Honey Island Swamp Monster, a legendary 500-pound beast that some claim hides amid the cypress trees andmurky waters. Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! 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. In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Im not making this up. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. "This thing had a flat back. In a new subdivision that was still being developed named Sheryls Meadows, a 12 year old riding their mini-bike along with their cousin saw a lumbering creature approximately 500 yards away. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. 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. What I saw scared the life out of me. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. 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. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! Once turned around, the cousin looked back and observed the creature now walking in the middle of the road and at a quicker pace toward the children. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Witches?Witch doctors! This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. Your email address will not be published. Apparently, when a person changes into a Rougarou they forget how to count past 12 (probably since they only worry about midnight and the moon at this point). In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. 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 only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. It was a full moon so it made spotting the Bullfrogs easier "super tasty btw", anyway we're wondering down by the . The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. 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. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? 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. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. Thank you! And then I realized that is what I saw! Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. Thank you! Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. 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.. 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. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. 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. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house.