rougarou sightings in louisiana rougarou sightings in louisiana

Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. On a different occasion that same Laplace man was out in the swamp with these two Doberman pinchers when he spotted a 7 foot tall bi-pedal creature that caused the dogs to run off. Thank you! A 9ft tall man with a black beard and what appeared to be a cloak of brown fur hanging from his neck by a rope. 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. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. 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. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. 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. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. 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. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. 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 article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. The Legend of the Louisiana Swamp Werewolf Known as the Rougarou, or sometimes as the Loup-Garou This Legend is said that the creature has prowled for hundreds of years in the swamps Show more. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. Did your house get ransacked during the night? The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. Its fingernails are grisly claws. 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 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. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! We may never really find out.. The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. So normally I dont believe it till I see it but in this case I saw it before I even heard about it and now I totally believe it. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation 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. He flagged me down to speak with me. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. The question nagged him into adulthood. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. The friend forgot her purse in the car. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. 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. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. 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. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. "Who. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. 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. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. There was a significant belief in the beast by the populace that people were put on trial and found guilty of being the fabled beast. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. 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. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. No purchase necessary. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. 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. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. 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. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Thanks for sharing it with us! The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. And then I realized that is what I saw! It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. 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. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." If this witness tells anyone about this encounter within a year and a day, they will become a Rougarou themselves. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. Let us know in the comments below! "The swamp is often seen as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals and everything . These monsters are said to roam the cities, swamps, and scary places of Louisiana in search of their next victims, and its to your benefit to stay educated if you want any hope of survival. 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). If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! 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. 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. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. 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. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. Thats no werewolf, though. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Nothing is going to hurt me. The student also stated that he did not want to alarm the creature by running off. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. Definitely a loup-garou. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. We know what you are probably thinking. Your email address will not be published. Years later, as a middle school teacher, hed mention the beast to his students only to learn theyd never heard of it. 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. 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 . If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. I got more specific with my search terms and soon stumbled upon something that reignited the idea of a creature like Bigfoot existing in our parts. "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. 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. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. 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. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. What is the Rougarou? What I saw scared the life out of me. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. 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. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. Dont believe us? Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. Louisiana native. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. The creature stood upright on two legs. by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. 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. 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 roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. 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. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. For those of you who haven't heard th. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [12] The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. 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. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. 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. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. 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. Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. 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. 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. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. Theres a howl in the near distance. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. 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. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. 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. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? Get more stories delivered right to your email. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. 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. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. Curious Louisiana answers. Well written and well documented. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Over the last century, hurricanes, sea level rise, and problematic development projects, such as damming the Mississippi River, have caused Louisiana to lose more than 2,000 square miles of land. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. 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. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. Legends of the Rougarou. 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. Love Louisiana? We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. See. 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. 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 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. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. This a great article!! Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Why do Bud's Broiler's burger prices conflict? The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. 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. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed.