According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. 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 bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. 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. 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. 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. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. "I think that there's magic in the swamps that's celebrated at Rougarou," Foret says. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. 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. Stories on its origin vary, but some say its a spirit while others claim its a child that was raised by alligators. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. It sounds like a wolf, but somethings a little off. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. He was only about 100 yards away when it crossed so a person would not of had time to get far enough to disappear into the swamp. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? The short answer is oral tradition. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. Despite your personal beliefs in the supernatural, these legends abound and continue to be told in the cajun lands to this day. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh? There was a problem saving your notification. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. A year later the boy killed himself and left a letter that the family turned over to the sheriff. Thanks for sharing it with us! Get more stories delivered right to your email. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. The only one I say can I truly believe is the sighting told to me by Mr. Nameless and that is only because I have known him my entire life and trust him. She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." Wow, thank you for that insight! 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. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. 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. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. Also known as Cajun fairies, these creatures can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. 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. Were not afraid. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. Im not making this up. 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. 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. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. The creature stood upright on two legs. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! Its fingernails are grisly claws. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. 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. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. The line on the trees in this picture taken Nov. 16, 2017, shows the swamp's typical high-water mark, which generally arrives in the spring. 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 reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. Let us know in the comments below! According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. He flagged me down to speak with me. We may never really find out.. The sound of human cries in the woods is a theme directly from faire lore. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. A monster? It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. 22. Had me captured. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. 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. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. It happened to three of us on Texas river,not sure if it was real or not ,but what we heard was not native to Texas . In the same story from The Nicholls Worth, the author, Brandon Folse, heavily quotes Patricia Perrin, a retired English instructor and folklore specialist. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. In some cases, they are your loved ones coming to greet you and bring good fortune. Your email address will not be published. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. The Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! Required fields are marked *. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. Rougarou Fest/Facebook. Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. . Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. 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. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. Crafty. Have you ever heard of the Rougarou or another scary Louisiana monster before? There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. 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. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. 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. And above all else, remember thisdont go into the swamps alone! The creature continued on as it reached a woody marsh area near a canal then disappeared. Mr. Nameless is still is not 100% sure what he saw that evening down Peavine Road, but from time to time he still thinks, and wonders what that large dark figure that crossed his path could be. If you have lived in Louisiana, there is a significant chance you have heard the lore of the Rougarou (also spelled as Rouxgaroux). Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. 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. As the name implies, it pays homage to the legendary beast. 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. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! A 9ft tall man with a black beard and what appeared to be a cloak of brown fur hanging from his neck by a rope. 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. 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. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. 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. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. The next day Mr. Nameless, his older brother, and a mutual friend went ride back out to Peavine. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. And then I realized that is what I saw! At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. Your email address will not be published. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. Apparently, when a person changes into a Rougarou they forget how to count past 12 (probably since they only worry about midnight and the moon at this point). The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. Local sanitation workers have supposedly reported seeing them raiding garbage cans or chasing trucks. The 2015 short film Atchafalaya centers around a game warden searching in a Louisiana swamp for a missing person who is hinted to have been taken by a loup-garou. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. 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. The dark figure crossed the road from the passenger side to the driver side, so it was traveling due south when it crossed the road. 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. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. Years later, as a middle school teacher, hed mention the beast to his students only to learn theyd never heard of it. The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. 4. The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. The friend forgot her purse in the car. French and Canadian settlers as they migrated brought with them the legend of the beast to Louisiana. In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. 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. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. 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. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". Apparently that was a thing they did back then. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. It will begin to recount the pennies, continuously perplexed as it encounters the number 13, until sunrise. 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.