A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. 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. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? 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. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. 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. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Im not making this up. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. 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. 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. Turns out voodoo is still in. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Wow, thank you for that insight! 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. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. 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. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. 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. 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. We know what you are probably thinking. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. 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. 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. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. Let us know in the comments below! One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. 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. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. I was thinking the same. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. Well written and well documented. Were not afraid. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. Legends of the Rougarou. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. 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. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Coming across this story made me reach out to Mr. Nameless to see if he would entertain the idea answering some questions about the experience he had in the early 90s. 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. 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. See. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. The two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. 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 Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. Thank you! 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 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. Dont believe us? A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. I need to do some more research on those spirits! As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. 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. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Its fingernails are grisly claws. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. 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. 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 Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. 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. 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. Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. Bobby Brettel grew up in New Orleans, nearly 40 miles away from the moss-tangled bayous of eastern St. Tammany Parish's Honey Island Swamp. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. 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. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. 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. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. 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. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. The question nagged him into adulthood. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." In 2011, Foret launched Rougarou Fest in Houma, Terrebones parish seat and largest city, as both a fundraiser for the center and a way to revive the fading cryptid tradition. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Just Might Be Louisianas Biggest And Baddest Foodie Event, The Historic Restaurant In Louisiana Where You Can Still Experience The Old American South, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Sweetport In Louisiana, This Train Restaurant In Louisiana Is The Most Enchanting Place To Eat, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You Chills, The Story Behind This Legendary Swamp Monster In Louisiana Will Give You The Chills, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On, Wanderluster/E+ Collection via Getty Images, Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images, Troy Harrison/Moment Collection via Getty Images, 2ndLookGraphics/E+ Collection via Getty Images. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. No purchase necessary. 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. 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. 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. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. 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 . Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). We cant make this stuff up. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. 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 Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. 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. It was also preached that French Catholics that broke the Lent seven years in a row would be hunted down and killed by the beast. The 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. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Thanks for sharing it with us! And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the report. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. 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. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. 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. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. 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. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. 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.
