According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. How did one Louisiana town's name get a bizarre pronunciation? The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. 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. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. 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. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. 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. He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. 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 Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. The K-9 unit lost the scent once it ran into the marsh. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Kliebert tried to communicate with the giant, asking who are you? You have permission to edit this article. I was thinking the same. The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. 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. 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. He let his mind wander. 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. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. Theres a howl in the near distance. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Curious Louisiana answers. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. Will Seals' home was set afire and he was shot down while trying to escape the flames. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. Foret grew up in southern Louisiana, between the Atchafalaya Basin and New Orleans, where stories of the rougarou are most often heardand he wouldnt venture into wooded areas at night because of them. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. all proceeds from rougarou fest go to the south louisiana wetlands discovery center click here to learn more. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. 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. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Once the cousin jumped back on they yelled GO! They did not look back after that. . He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. So this happened to me a few years ago, I was visiting a friend's house in the Houston River area, that section of the river is pretty swampy so we were frog hunting at night. We cant make this stuff up. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. 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. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. 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. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . 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. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. 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." A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum? Wow, thank you for that insight! 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 jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! 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. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. 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. Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. Variations also associate it with animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens, due to the fact that wolves are not often seen in the area. The creature was black, hairy, and walking upright on two legs. 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). one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. 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. USA Today ranked the Rougarou Fest as one of the top 10 costume parties in the country, and you can join in the fun and compete in the contest. The short answer is oral tradition. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. It was still very much daylight when this happened but the only detail he could make out was that the creature was upright and a bipedal hominid, dark in color. Generations of children have heard the scary. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. The earliest report takes place in the swampy forest of Back Vacherie in 1891.An excerpt from Along The River Road, Past and Present on LouisianasHistoric Byway by Mary Ann Sternberg. Did a child disappear from the village without a trace? He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Witches?Witch doctors! It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore. The creature stood upright on two legs. 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. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. There was a problem saving your notification. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. 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. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. 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. Had me captured. 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. 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. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. 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Your email address will not be published. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. 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. On the last Saturday in October in the city of Houma, Rougarou Fest is held. Required fields are marked *. 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. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. Proud foodie. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. We know what you are probably thinking. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. The Rougarou: Southern Louisiana The legends of the rougarou, or loup-garou, have been passed down from generation to generation as long as Louisiana has been inhabited by modern man. 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. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. 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. 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. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. 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. 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. 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. 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 being. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The New Orleans Pelicans, Louisiana's NBA team, were formerly known as the Hornets. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. 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. In another variation of the story, the half man half wolf monster targets and kills Catholics that have failed to follow the rules of Lent. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. Your email address will not be published. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. However, it is unlikely you will find any real pictures of a Rougarou, if there are any, as most claims of sighting have turned out to be a hoax. Your email address will not be published. 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.. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. A close friend of the family who was on . In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. 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. 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. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. 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 had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. 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. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area.