rougarou sightings in louisiana rougarou sightings in louisiana

1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. 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. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. 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. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. Thank you! The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. Who knows what it is? Folklore will have us believe that a Rougarou has the opportunity to change back to a human after 101 days, but only after finding another human who is willing to have the curse transferred to them. The same 12 year old child claims that about a month after, they were out with the same cousin in the woods that bordered their neighborhood, when they spotted a bush along the train track shake. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. No purchase necessary. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. 4. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. 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. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. For those of you who haven't heard th. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. 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. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). She witnessed someone slinking around her property. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. Let us know in the comments below! by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. 51. That kind of transformation happens and I suspect that whats going on with this festival., But unlike sexy vampires or friendly alligators, Forets rougarou has been reimagined to champion a specific cause: protecting its habitat, which in turn will protect our own. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. 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. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. Thanks for sharing it with us! Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Usually theyd find someone in the woods or someone in the village who was just acting strange.. She described it also as being tall and hairy and went on to further say that it was almost so white it was glowing. She also described the creature to be staring in her direction. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. We know what you are probably thinking. Were not afraid. 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. When I asked Mr. Nameless if the creature was covered in hair he told me that he could not make out any detail other than the figure was large, and almost black. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." 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. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. The creature stood upright on two legs. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. Your email address will not be published. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. In a new subdivision that was still being developed named Sheryls Meadows, a 12 year old riding their mini-bike along with their cousin saw a lumbering creature approximately 500 yards away. 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. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. The officers came around the corner of the house and saw a creature standing up, pressed against the side of the house, trying to maintain cover. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. 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. In 1989 this man was alone on top of the levee near Bayou Steel; He was waiting for his brother to meet him to go hunting behind the levee. I need to do some more research on those spirits! 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. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. The monster has its own Wikipedia pageand has been the source of numerous news stories and documentaries. 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. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! 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. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. 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. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. 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 man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. 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). Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. There was also a story that was told to kids that if they didnt do what their parents asked, a loup-garou would come and steal them away in the middle of the night. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . Too afraid to move, he watched as a figure about 8 feet tall and hairy from head to toe passed slowly below him, eventually disappearing further into the woods. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. See. He let his mind wander. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. 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. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. Why do Bud's Broiler's burger prices conflict? I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. 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. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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 Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. 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. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. 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. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. This a great article!! Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. The anonyms Laplace man said he was out near Ruddock with a friend, they were clearing land with a bulldozer when they came across footprints in the mud that were at least 19 inches in length. 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. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. 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. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. 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. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? 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. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. 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. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Generations of children have heard the scary. Strange noise ? 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. 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. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. 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. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. What I saw scared the life out of me. And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! 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. 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. 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. 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. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. 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. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. 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. 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 . You have permission to edit this article. 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 Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. Your email address will not be published. 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 cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. 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. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. It was a full moon so it made spotting the Bullfrogs easier "super tasty btw", anyway we're wondering down by the . "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey.