And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Countrys answer to Bigfoot. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. 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. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. The rougarou once served to scare adults into being good Catholics, and children into staying home after dark, Rabalais says, adding, Now there are other things to be scared of, like rising water levels and hurricanes.. The trickster figure really went from being the bad guy, the one to watch out for, to being a hero, says Rabalais, adding that the shift reflected the reality of the people who told and retold the stories. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. Deep throughout the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a legendary werewolf type creature with sharp You understand that all Content posted on, transmitted through, or linked from the Phantoms and Monsters Site, are the sole responsibility of the person from whom such Content originated. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. Required fields are marked *. 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. Its true! Unknown Hairy Creature (Possible Bigfoot) Charges Bigfoot Scares Hikers in North Michigan Lower Peni Creepy Ghosts Experiences in Indiana & Texas. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. DATE. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. Thu 06/01/23. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, 6 Exercises You Can Do with a Resistance Band, 4 Southern Traditions You Should Know About. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. 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. The name Rougarou (Loup-Garou) is a French term meaning warewolf. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. 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! 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. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. Well written and well documented. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. Acadiana. Again, he urged the boy to stay silent about their encounter, but the boy wasn't able to keep the secret. 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. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. 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. 51. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. The Rougarou ---- The Louisiana Swamp Monster 1,356 views Premiered Oct 31, 2020 58 Dislike Share Save The Traveling Gilberts 876 subscribers Subscribe The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana. The publication of any and all content e.g., articles, reports, editorials, commentary, opinions, as well as graphics and or images on this web-site does not constitute sanction or acquiescence of said content unless specified; it is solely for informational purposes. The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. Your email address will not be published. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. 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. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. Required fields are marked *. It throws its head back, letting out a blood-curdling howl to the moon. That way, everyone is reminded of what may happen if you don't keep your promises during the Lenten season, which begins the day after Mardi Gras. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. 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. In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. DATE. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. 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. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! The rougarou (also spelled rugaru or rugaroo) has its origins in 16th century medieval French folklore. 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. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. 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. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. Scary Bigfoot Incident Near Daniels, Maryland. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. 22.4K subscribers 36K views 6 years ago #bigfoot #paranormal Make sure you check out this video!. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. In this version of the story, once a human has turned into a Rougarou, they will roam the streets on the night of the full moon, focusing on small towns. Kezia Kamenetz is a native to southern Louisiana and lives in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans currently. Rougarou. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. Your email address will not be published. The Loupe Garou has to be based on stories told by parents wanting there children to behave and make there beds clean the dishes ect ect. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. A story in The Daily Comet titled "Tales of The Rougarou Still Haunt Local Memories" states, "In the past, rumors about strange or eccentric neighbors would float through small bayou communities, labeling various people as the dreaded Rougarou." It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. 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. Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below! By using the Phantoms and Monsters Site, you acknowledge that you may be exposed to Content from other users that is offensive, indecent, inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise objectionable. And we value equal representation for allso they deserve a spot on our list of the scariest Louisiana monsters! Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. 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. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover One man hopes to turn the wolfish cryptid into a mascot for saving the state's imperiled wetlands. Seguin. 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. Wow, thank you for that insight! Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. Had me captured. Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. 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. Rougarou Caught on Aerial Footage Breakdown The Paranormal Review, Barbeque, and the Outdoors! No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. 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. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. She knew that if she told her husband what happened, she may remain under the Rougarou's spell forever, so she was forced to keep her secret for 101 days. It is most often described as having a human body with the head of a wolf or dog, with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp teeth. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). Louisiana native. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. Definitely a loup-garou. A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the 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. Strange noise ? As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. Required fields are marked *. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. The commuter stated Unlike the sloth, it was man-like. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report #514. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. 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