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. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Like the childhood game of telephone, the story morphs over the years as it gets passed down from generation to generation. As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. Did your house get ransacked during the night? one football field of coastline was lost per hour. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. Loup-garou. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. The next day Mr. Nameless, his older brother, and a mutual friend went ride back out to Peavine. Where can you find a Rougarou? Your email address will not be published. Definitely a loup-garou. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 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. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. 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. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf" : cryptids - reddit Official Post from Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Believed Research & Investigation A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. And then I realized that is what I saw! Rougarou Fest | Houma, Louisiana The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. There was a problem saving your notification. The creature is described as half-man, half-dog. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. 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. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. 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. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. I suppose anything is possible, and while the Bigfoot sighting phenomena originated in the Pacific Northwest, it seems more than plausible that such a creature could exist here. 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. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. Had me captured. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. 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. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. Don't Miss The Best Festival In Louisiana, The Rougarou Fest The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. we have similar creatures in northeastern NY along with a few other cryptids like pig men and Bigfoot but i also have seen a panther like cat with black bat like wings by the tree line in a small town along lake Champlain. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. Deep in the rural wooded swamp of Livingston Parish and young girl was having a friend of hers spend the night. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. Why do Bud's Broiler's burger prices conflict? The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. 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. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. What is the Rougarou? | Louisiana Swamp Base Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. I remember he kept repeating something to the effect of look, Im not sure what I saw. At that time the only reference I had to Bigfoot was a few TV shows and a book I checked out a few times from my schools library. [12] Legends of the Rougarou. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. To my surprise I got text response saying Im outside in my backyard if you want to come over, its not much of a story. I remember it was a brief encounter and not many details but my objective was to write down what he remembered from his perspective, rather than a second-hand accounting from my childhood perspective. 8 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore | PeachTown 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. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. In an attempt to keep occupied and at home during these various phases of the Covid-19 pandemic, on a whim I decided to search out Louisiana based Bigfoot sightings. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. 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. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. The short answer is oral tradition. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. 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. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. Rougarou the Louisiana Monster Werewolf - Any Mystery The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. We may never really find out.. Turns out voodoo is still in. 9 REAL Sightings of the Rougarou | Darkness Prevails Darkness Prevails 631K subscribers Subscribe 4.7K 136K views 3 years ago It's like a real life werewolf, but worse. 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. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. 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. An illegal moonshine distilling business once drove much of the area's economy, but competition could be shot down without any repercussions, according to the article.