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Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. The Grunch: A Chupacabra on the Louisiana Bayou - Exemplore Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! A story in The Daily Comet titled "Tales of The Rougarou Still Haunt Local Memories" states, "In the past, rumors about strange or eccentric neighbors would float through small bayou communities, labeling various people as the dreaded Rougarou." 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. If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. 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. 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. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. 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. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. Loup-garou. We cant make this stuff up. What is the Rougarou? History of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf - Pelican State of Mind Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. Wow, thank you for that insight! It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. Was there really a monster in the swamps? Rougarou - Wikipedia Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. In the official report the officer filed he was honest, but kept the details to a minimum, it was a very tall dark figure, with no description of clothing. Whatever he saw had Mr. Nameless so unsettled that even from the safety of his truck was hesitant to pass where the creature had crossed. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. 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. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. The line on the trees in this picture taken Nov. 16, 2017, shows the swamp's typical high-water mark, which generally arrives in the spring. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 51. Theres a howl in the near distance. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Turns out voodoo is still in. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. 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. 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. 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. Glad the information was here. The Rougarou, The Louisiana Swamp Werewolf - YouTube It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. 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. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". 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. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." 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. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! 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 . We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. "Reporting a sighting of Bigfoot, Sasquatch and even the Honey Island Swamp Monster does not get you labeled a crazy person anymore, and therefore, those who believe eyewitnesses are not labeled crazy either," said Dana Holyfield, granddaughter of Harlan Ford a man often credited with having the first recorded encounter with the purported swamp monster. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Honey Island Swamp Monster I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. This a great article!! These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? 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. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being 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 roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. 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. 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. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. 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 two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. 22. Your email address will not be published. Save the Swamp: But, Beware the "Rougarou" - The National Wildlife He flagged me down to speak with me. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. Louisiana Werewolf: Rougarou of the Bayou - Exemplore These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. This is why I always read terms and conditions. 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. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. all proceeds from rougarou fest go to the south louisiana wetlands discovery center click here to learn more. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. Strange noise ? This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Were not afraid. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. 4. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. Its true! It's okay, because we're here to bust them! Curious Louisiana answers. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. The commuter stated Unlike the sloth, it was man-like. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report #514. 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). The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. Legend of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf 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. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. 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. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. 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. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. Foret is now director of the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a nonprofit that educates students, in the classroom and on field trips, about the challenges of sea level rise, climate change, and living in a coastal communityone still recovering from 2021s Hurricane Ida. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. Well written and well documented. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. 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. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. 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. Louisiana's Rougarou Fest - Enchanted Living Magazine This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. On a moonless night those are the darkest woods Ive ever trekked through.that includes the Black Forest, Mark Twain National Forest Missouri, the hills of West Virginia, and the Pine Flats in New Jersey. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. 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. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. Thats no werewolf, though. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. 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. 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. 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. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Required fields are marked *. 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. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. 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. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. 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. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. Louisiana native. We love meat too, but come on. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. 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. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. 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 Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. 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. Legends of the Rougarou. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Rougarou Sightings According to a lady from Louisiana, a local child was being chased by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. The basic tale of Rougarou is one of a half man, half wolf that prowls the Louisiana swamps, looking for Catholics that have broken Lent or broken Catholic rules in other ways. 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. The short answer is oral tradition. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. There was a problem saving your notification. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Despite your personal beliefs in the supernatural, these legends abound and continue to be told in the cajun lands to this day. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . 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. Witches?Witch doctors! He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. 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. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. 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 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. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. Definitely a loup-garou. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both.