"Who. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com, 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, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Louisiana Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Best Hotels & Resorts in Louisiana: 12 Amazing Places to Stay, Theres Something Truly Unique About This Mom & Pop Truck Stop in Louisiana, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Spooky Legend Behind This Louisiana House Will Keep You Up At Night, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On. After that point, her spell was lifted. [7] 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. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. 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 rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. Out of the shaking bush came a large hairy arm, grabbed a handful of leaves then went back in. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. 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. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. 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 the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. 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. 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. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. 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, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Louisiana Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Best Hotels & Resorts in Louisiana: 12 Amazing Places to Stay, 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. Your email address will not be published. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. Lurking in the woods and wetlands of southern Louisiana, according to Cajun legend, theres a ferocious monster that attacks the wayward and the wanderer. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. The human animal sobbing sounds were also accompanied by the snapping of branches and the crackling of leaves that gave the impression of something large moving through the woods. See. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! 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. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. This a great article!! The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. I was thinking the same. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! 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 Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. Some legends of the beast say it can only be killed by fire, others say it can be killed while its in its vulnerable human form. Theres a howl in the near distance. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. 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. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. 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. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! In this version of the tale, a large white dog followed a young boy home, annoying him throughout the walk. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. 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. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. Deep throughout the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a legendary werewolf type creature with sharp This way, his spell was broken, making him able to turn back into human form. 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. Rougarou custom jerseys on sale now! The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. I hunt all over america and even in Africa a couple times ive run across crap that has made me avoid entire states and run across other things that i tried to stalk and kill one of these things i tried to kill is a loup garou i lived in deep louisiana until i was 11 i know about these things your gonna need some back story for this i subscribe to the idea that they are cursed humans and will have the curse till they die like wherewolves and the loup garou may even be a wherewolf because the only time ive ever found a claim of one that i couldnt easily blow off the description was the same as a where wolf like a humanoid grizzly bear on two legs with lots of steroids that aside i was doing some hunting one night for hog and saw a huge animal walk out stood 6 or 7 feet tall on two legs couldnt make out fine details due to light but i took a shot at it after i saw enough to realize it wasnt human i shot it in the head with a 45-70 those of you who dont get that its a rifle capable of taking large game like an elephant with one shot very strong round and for those of you who are gun people ill give some specs it was a 500 grain soft lead bullet hot loaded on 72 grains of powder (that doesnt sound like much but i shoot black powder in it not smokeless and no its not a muzzle loader it shoots brass cased bullets like a normal gun) anyway i hit it in the head and it got really pissed of and started to charge from about 200 yards away i shot it again in the chest and it ran off i spent the night tracking it mind you this all happemed at about 10 i only quit when i lost blood trail and foot print trail right around daylight i went home and that night there was a story of a man whos body had been found with two large holes that resembled bullet holes but it was ruled out because there was no trace of any lead or powder and he was drained of all his blood that chalked it up to a satanic ritual now to me it sounds like i killed a loup garou but hey maybe its still out there and just really pissed off. Dec. 20, 2016 - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has confirmed photographic evidence of a cougar sighting in northeast Louisiana on Nov. 23.An LDWF biologist conducted a site investigation that confirmed the authenticity of a trail camera picture submitted to the department. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. A close friend of the family who was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, she lived down the street from my dad. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. The man dropped his gun and ran. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. Belief in the monster was so strong that many civilians were accused . We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democratic, scientific, social justice, and religious issues, etc. 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. The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. If you decide to attend the festival or find yourself around the swamps, make sure to remember the tricks and tactics we covered in this article. 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. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. Thank you! It was late in the evening and getting dark, so they could not see into the bush. A story in The Nicholls Worth, a local college paper, titled "Rougarou Remains Strong Figure in Cajun Folklore," recounts a story from a woman about an experience in her youth. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. He told me how past the railroad track, near the lake they had some deer in a fenced in area. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. Dont believe us? The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. 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. Proud foodie. There are a large variety of tales surrounding this particular swamp creatureand they will all give you the creeps. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. He flagged me down to speak with me. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. The rougarou (also spelled rugaru or rugaroo) has its origins in 16th century medieval French folklore. Love Louisiana? They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. 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. I need to do some more research on those spirits! Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. Rougarou Caught on Aerial Footage Breakdown The Paranormal Review, Barbeque, and the Outdoors! Let us know in the comments below! 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. When they got to the spot they noticed the earth and surrounding plant life was disturbed like something big frequently passed there, a game trail of sorts. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. 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. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? The seminary student continued to stand still to observe further when the creature started to pace back in fourth just out of sight, beyond the tree line, all why still producing the strange whimpers. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. 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. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. Its true! This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Listen Live . In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Wed 05/31/23. 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. No purchase necessary. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). The Louisiana werewolf is the rougarou of the bayoua very similar-looking creature. The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Where can you find a Rougarou? Pale Gray Humanoid Haunts Teens in Old Country Cem Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. According to folklore, a Rougarou is a human that has been placed under a spell. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Massive Bigfoot Observed by Pennsylvania Hunter. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Eventually he began disappearing at night--eventually turning fully into the Rougarou, never to be seen in the same form again. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. 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. Deep within the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a legendary werewolf sort creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. 22.4K subscribers 36K views 6 years ago #bigfoot #paranormal Make sure you check out this video!. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. We cant make this stuff up. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. 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( also spelled rugaru or rugaroo ) has its origins in 16th Century medieval French.. Me down 101 days this will perplex it, and was pretty up!