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. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. Enjoy these allegedly. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! one football field of coastline was lost per hour. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. No matter how you spell it, the Rougarou, Roux-Ga-Roux, Rugaroo, Rugaru, or Loup Garou is a werewolf type creature living in the folklore of Cajun French Louisiana. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. 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. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! The Rougarou: Southern Louisiana The legends of the rougarou, or loup-garou, have been passed down from generation to generation as long as Louisiana has been inhabited by modern man. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. 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. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. He was only about 100 yards away when it crossed so a person would not of had time to get far enough to disappear into the swamp. Your email address will not be published. Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. Its too late to turn back! A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. 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. People who didnt have a lot of physical or social power in society found a way to survive through being clever., Even Louisianas infamous and very real alligators have undergone a rebranding. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. The creature stood upright on two legs. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Who knows what it is? Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. 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. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. 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. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. 22. 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. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. 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. After Ford's death, a grainy film reel was found in his attic that shows a large and hairy figure shuffling upright between the trees. In 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. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. 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. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. The neighbor, who was unaware of the husbands sighting, stated that while walking with his dog in the woods, his dog got spooked and ran back toward their house. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. That these creatures are flesh and blood, but the reason they go undetected is because they are inter-dimensional beings that pop in and out of our reality. 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 . Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. The rougarou is closely related to the European version of the werewolf but has a few very distinct differences from the wolfmen seen in movies and on television. 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 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. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. What is the Rougarou? Such monster makeovers are common. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . 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 monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. It was a fall evening and this student was walking on a road in back of the property that borders cow pastures and piney woods. For Foret and many other Cajun residents in the area, the real possibility that climate change will eventually force them from their homes is particularly upsetting. 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. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. 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 curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. Years later, as a middle school teacher, hed mention the beast to his students only to learn theyd never heard of it. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. 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. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. Your email address will not be published. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. The short answer is oral tradition. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Generations of children have heard the scary. An illegal moonshine distilling business once drove much of the area's economy, but competition could be shot down without any repercussions, according to the article. . A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. Where can you find a Rougarou? 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. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Could these sightings be and unknown species of hominid living for the most part, undetected in the southeast Louisiana wilderness? 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." He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. The monster has its own Wikipedia pageand has been the source of numerous news stories and documentaries. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. 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. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! 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. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! Well written and well documented. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. 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. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. 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). 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. Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. Your email address will not be published. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. He and his partner were a part of a unit in Jefferson Parish that were first responders to criminal calls, making this a most credible report. The 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. 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. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. This is why I always read terms and conditions. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. Were not afraid. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. 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. 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. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. 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. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed.