The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. Im not making this up. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. At first he thought it was a bear that was under the house causing a commotion, but as he approached the creature stood up and ran off into the swamp. 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. Thanks for sharing it with us! Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. Theyre not trying to eat you, Ancelet says. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. A spell that as you will soon find out is not that easy to break. 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. Deep in the rural wooded swamp of Livingston Parish and young girl was having a friend of hers spend the night. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. 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. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is a prime example of Rougarou supernatural popularity. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. I need to do some more research on those spirits! Such monster makeovers are common. The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. The officers came around the corner of the house and saw a creature standing up, pressed against the side of the house, trying to maintain cover. Louisiana is a lovely place to visit. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. Dont believe us? By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. What is a Rougarou, Exactly? - CryptoVille Generations of children have heard the scary. Legend of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels 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. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Address: Rougarou Fest, 7910 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364, USA. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. Rougarou - Wikipedia Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. 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. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? 4 Unique Tales of the Rougarou from Southern Louisiana - OnlyInYourState A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. Perhaps this giant was not a fan of small talk, and from the direction of travel I suspect the giant was heading home to Chackbay. Where are you from? Kliebert got no response. Today, theyre suave and sexy, thanks in part to pop culture hits such as Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and True Blood. 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. At the time of the encounter the officer had no working knowledge of Bigfoot or sasquatch, but having a degree in anthropology left no doubt in the officers mind what he saw was most defiantly not a large, naked, human being. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. 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. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! While you're in Houma, don't forget to stop by A-Bear's, home to some of the most delicious homemade desserts in Louisiana. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. There was a problem saving your notification. The Rougarou life involves shapeshifting into its beast form every night, then being forced to transform back into a human at sunrise. 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.. He let his mind wander. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. 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. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Its true! 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. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. The brave friend continued on to the car, opened the door and started to feel around in the dark for the purse in the passenger seat. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. 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. Our parents would say things like, you better behave or the rougarou is gonna get you, says Jonathan Foret, a native of Terrebonne Parish, a patchwork of bayou and lowlands on the Gulf shore. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. 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. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. The monsters reputed locale, in the Honey Island Swamp, has an ominous and deadly history that precedes the legend. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings - Rougarou's Cursed blog troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. 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But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Enjoy these allegedly. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. Well written and well documented. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. There has been some dispute about whether or not this myth is actually related to the French Louisiana Rougarou legends. He told himself if whatever that was jumps out at me, I can always hit the accelerator. When he got to the area where the creature crossed the road, he looked out the drivers side window but did not see anything. 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. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. I used to have nightmares including the Rougarou as a kid and seeing this is crazy that its something based on my home state. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. 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. 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. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. According to Breaux, as Hubert retold the story, he began clenching his teeth and breathing rapidly as if he were reliving a terrifying experience. Thats no werewolf, though. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. 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. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. Love Louisiana? If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. 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. To kill some time before his date, Mr. Nameless decided to take an evening cruise down Peavine Road to the lake. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. Rougarou Sightings According to a lady from Louisiana, a local child was being chased by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. 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! Despite the Rougarou legend seemingly beginning as a way to scare Catholics and children, many locals maintain its existence and have their own personal stories, especially among the older generation. The creature is only vaguely seen in the film with a head resembling a bear. 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. Rougarou Fest | Houma, Louisiana Recently I saw a picture of a bear with severe mange which looked like how people describe werewolves and rougarous. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Louisiana's Rougarou Fest - Enchanted Living Magazine We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. If you'vegot a questionabout something Louisiana-centric, ask us. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. Over the last century, hurricanes, sea level rise, and problematic development projects, such as damming the Mississippi River, have caused Louisiana to lose more than 2,000 square miles of land. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . Its fingernails are grisly claws. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. The Husband also described the creature as being dark in color and large. Full report can be found on http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. And then I realized that is what I saw! According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. 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. Louisiana native. 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. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! one football field of coastline was lost per hour. 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. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. 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. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated.