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Theres a howl in the near distance. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! Is there a Louisiana werewolf? 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. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! 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An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. "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. 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 cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. 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. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. A 1926 article in the New Orleans States juxtaposes scenes of the wild honeysuckle and vibrant Southern foliage of the area against bushes used as hiding spots for murderers to ambush victims. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. The neighbor, who was unaware of the husbands sighting, stated that while walking with his dog in the woods, his dog got spooked and ran back toward their house. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. 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. In 1974, Ford, a wildlife photographer and former air traffic controller, claimed to have witnessed the creature while exploring potential hunting grounds. This is why I always read terms and conditions. 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. 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. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. After the initial sighting by the husband, the wife reported that a neighbor came by in an adjatated state. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. 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. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. The two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. 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. In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. Louisiana native. But now, the story of the once-terrifying rougarou is changing, along with the coastal wetlands it has long called home. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. 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. The giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. The name changed to rougarou in Cajun Louisiana because l and r are linguistically liquid consonants and they change places a lot, says Barry Jean Ancelet, a Cajun folklorist and professor emeritus with the University of Lafayette. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! 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. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. 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. With the head of a werewolf and the body of a man, the creature is said to prey on misbehaving children and dates back to medieval France. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Thanks for sharing it with us! It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. It had a face like a man and the body of an animal, said Herman Broom. Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? The Rougarou at Cedar Point is one example of many as to how popular the folklore surrounding the beast truly is. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. 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. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Outside of Louisiana, the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio has a rollercoaster named Rougarou. What is the Rougarou? The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! 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. About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? 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. Your email address will not be published. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. Frequently referred to as beast in the story, the part-man, part-animal with piercing yellow eyes has appeared in several anecdotes by self-styled witnesses since the 1960s. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! "I think it's fascinating,'' said Brettel. Who knows what it is? 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. Your email address will not be published. I need to do some more research on those spirits! Required fields are marked *. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. I grew up that way and you would hear about strange things.. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. 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. This a great article!! 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Sam and Dean had a struggle with this one. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. 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. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. Its too late to turn back! I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. Loup-garou. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. Over the decades, numerous people have talked of an ape-like creature or creatures living in swamps. 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. There were no apparent wounds or blood, but the fresh carcass looked like it had been battered and crushed. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. 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. 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. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. 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. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. Such monster makeovers are common. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. 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. Wow, thank you for that insight! It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below! Children can see and hear everything that happens, but they are unable to move. You have permission to edit this article. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. Crafty. After Ford's death, a grainy film reel was found in his attic that shows a large and hairy figure shuffling upright between the trees. 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. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Were you told the story of the Rougarou as . Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the report. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. 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. Did your house get ransacked during the night? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Were not afraid. Dont believe us? Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. Driving west on Airline Hwy. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. According to some other accounts, the process of transferring the curse involves the willingly human drawing the blood of the Rougarou. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. The cousins decided to turn around and go back the direction they came to avoid a close encounter with this unknown, imposing, bipedal creature. 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. After years of inbreeding, their appearance became less and less human-like, resulting in what people now call The Grunch. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Definitely a loup-garou. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! The article reported the murder of a man killed because his whiskey was too good and too profitable. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Its fingernails are grisly claws. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. The Rougarou is an important figure in Cajun legends. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means.