rougarou sightings in louisiana

The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. The friend forgot her purse in the car. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. We may never really find out.. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! The Caribbean island nation of Haiti, already steeped in the dark lore of zombies and voodoo magic, also has its own version of the infamous werewolf, which they call the je-rouges, or "red eyes." It is also referred to it as the French loup-garou and by the Creole word lougarou. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. They look for blood donors who are willing to sell them blood, and yes, they drink it. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. 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. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. No purchase necessary. Louisiana Werewolf: Rougarou of the Bayou - Exemplore At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - Paranormal Outlaw It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. Honey Island Swamp Monster Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. "Reporting a sighting of Bigfoot, Sasquatch and even the Honey Island Swamp Monster does not get you labeled a crazy person anymore, and therefore, those who believe eyewitnesses are not labeled crazy either," said Dana Holyfield, granddaughter of Harlan Ford a man often credited with having the first recorded encounter with the purported swamp monster. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. 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. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Curious Louisiana answers. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. The Rougarou ---- The Louisiana Swamp Monster - YouTube Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. Were not afraid. 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. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. There was thick wet swamp on both sides. That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Had me captured. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. 8 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore | PeachTown The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. 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. Proud foodie. 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. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Too afraid to move, he watched as a figure about 8 feet tall and hairy from head to toe passed slowly below him, eventually disappearing further into the woods. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings - Rougarou's Cursed blog 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! When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. The basic tale of Rougarou is one of a half man, half wolf that prowls the Louisiana swamps, looking for Catholics that have broken Lent or broken Catholic rules in other ways. 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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. Louisiana Urban Legends, Monsters, and Haunted Places We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. Legends of the Rougarou. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. The creature in question was described by the officer as being an eight foot talk, bipedal hominid, dark hair (not fur), and massively build. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. 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. 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. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. 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. What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. 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. In the official report the officer filed he was honest, but kept the details to a minimum, it was a very tall dark figure, with no description of clothing. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. Well written and well documented. The Most Haunted Louisiana Road: Bayou Sale Road Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. 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. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. The history of the Rougarou is centuries-old and has many different origins, but the earliest mention of the infamous, mythical Louisiana werewolf comes from medieval France. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. 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 Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. A version from the 16th century paints it as being seen as something similar to a genetic disorder, rather than the curse most other versions of the myth portray the Rougarou as being. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. Louisiana native. 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. Also in Harvey, residents say they've seen it knocking over trashcans and chasing cats. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You Thats no werewolf, though. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. 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. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. What is the Rougarou? | Louisiana Swamp Base As outlandish as that sounds some of the very details in this essay support that. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. The Rougarou Fest Is The Spookiest Festival In Louisiana - OnlyInYourState The Rougarou, The Louisiana Swamp Werewolf - YouTube The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. I found a report from Civil War veteran Fredrick Kliebert who was walking home from a squirrel hunt when he saw what he described as a giant. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! The mud was too sloppy to retain any prints. A long-simmering proposal to dam the Pearl River near Jackson, Miss., has prompted concerns in southeast Louisina and southwest Mississippi about how such a project would impact the lower Pearl River. 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 Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. 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. Was there really a monster in the swamps? Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. The monster has its own Wikipedia pageand has been the source of numerous news stories and documentaries. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. Logic would dictate that any such creature living in southeast Louisiana would appear thinner in both frame and hair because of the climate and wet conditions. Driving west on Airline Hwy. The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! 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). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. The question nagged him into adulthood. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. Witches?Witch doctors! In the legend, this beast is often described as having the body of a man and the head of a wolf or a dog and prowls Louisiana swamps looking for misbehaving children. 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." Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. Love Louisiana? But first, lets dive into some of its histories. 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.