Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. 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. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. . These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. 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. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. 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. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. 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 article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. 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. by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. 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Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. 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! I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. 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. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. A monster? People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. 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 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. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". We may never really find out.. He flagged me down to speak with me. 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. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. The history of the Rougarou is centuries-old and has many different origins, but the earliest mention of the infamous, mythical Louisiana werewolf comes from medieval France. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. The Caribbean island nation of Haiti, already steeped in the dark lore of zombies and voodoo magic, also has its own version of the infamous werewolf, which they call the je-rouges, or "red eyes." It is also referred to it as the French loup-garou and by the Creole word lougarou. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. 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. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. 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. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. Dont believe us? It happened to three of us on Texas river,not sure if it was real or not ,but what we heard was not native to Texas . The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. 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. 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. 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. Definitely a loup-garou. 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. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. 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 curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. What I saw scared the life out of me. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. A version from the 16th century paints it as being seen as something similar to a genetic disorder, rather than the curse most other versions of the myth portray the Rougarou as being. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. We love meat too, but come on. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Perhaps this giant was not a fan of small talk, and from the direction of travel I suspect the giant was heading home to Chackbay. 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. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. 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. 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. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! Wow, thank you for that insight! Curious Louisiana answers. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! I need to do some more research on those spirits! The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. 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. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. 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. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. A close friend of the family who was on . A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. Some months prior to this her entire family told her they hear a woman screaming at the top of her lungs, followed by a gurgling noise coming from the woods. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. 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. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. 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. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. 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. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. 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. Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. He let his mind wander. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. Legends of the Rougarou. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. 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. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". Let us know in the comments below! During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. 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. Its true! Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. 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 rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. 4. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. This a great article!! A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. 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. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. Since Cajun dialect is a mix of French and English and well-known for changing words completely to roll off the tongue easier, the name of the beast changed from loup-garou to Rougarou (also spelled roux-ga-roux, rugaroo, or rugaru). The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. 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. No purchase necessary. 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. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. 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. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Your email address will not be published. The short answer is oral tradition. Such monster makeovers are common. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife.
