Save the Swamp: But, Beware the "Rougarou" - The National Wildlife 10 Creepy Facts and Legends about New Orleans - Hotels Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. The plantation's most popular (and yet to be debunked) encounter is the apparition of a young . . 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. Legend of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf Louisiana Urban Legends, Monsters, and Haunted Places An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. Bog Monster of Louisiana T-Shirt (Impractical Jokers). It throws its head back, letting out a blood-curdling howl to the moon. In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesnt follow the rules of Lent. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. History of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf - Pelican State of Mind After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. I had almost forgot about it since no one answered phone when I wanted to tell someone what I just seen was so weird. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Its true! Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. Discovering the Rougarou - ArcGIS StoryMaps This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Whatever he saw had Mr. Nameless so unsettled that even from the safety of his truck was hesitant to pass where the creature had crossed. 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. 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. We love meat too, but come on. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. Whether the Rougarou is truly a cryptid stalking the streets at night just waiting to pass its curse on to the next unfortunate soul, or whether it is merely a tool used to scare Catholics into keeping Lent, it is clear that the Rougarou has left its mark on Southern Louisiana. Upright Canine (Possible 'Rougarou') Encountered in Beauregard Parish The two children ran the entire way home, about of a mile. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. 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. 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.. Its fingernails are grisly claws. The officer reported that the creature crossed a 22 foot wide street in three strides. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. 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. The cousins were ridding toward the creature when they spotted it walking on side of the road in their direction. The Legend of the Louisiana Swamp Werewolf Known as the Rougarou, or sometimes as the Loup-Garou This Legend is said that the creature has prowled for hundreds of years in the swamps Show more. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. 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. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. The Rougarou, or as others may say, Loup garou, is a bayou-dwelling werewolf. Lapin, the trickster rabbit rooted in African folklore traditions that were brought to Louisiana by enslaved people, has also seen a transformation. 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 Rougarou has even been made into an action figure, part of a series that also features Sasquatch and the Yeti. When they reached the paved section of the driveway, PB noticed a dead 90 lb male Bobcat laying along the edge. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. 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. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. 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 Rougarou, The Louisiana Swamp Werewolf - YouTube Then my son started asking me about the rougarou legend and I was like a wha t? Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. What I saw scared the life out of me. 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. 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. 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. I want more! In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. This is why I always read terms and conditions. While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. Legend says that the Rougarou will hunt these individuals down and suck their blood, feeding on their energy for up to 101 days. According to the deputies, the Honey Island Swamp was a hellhole where criminals and monsters thrived. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. Let us know in the comments below! Louisiana Werewolf: Rougarou of the Bayou - Exemplore Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. 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. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. In a 2008 Fox News special,people claimed they'd seen the beast. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. Witches?Witch doctors! A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the report. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf - Exemplore This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. He let his mind wander. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. 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. It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a Voodoo priestess. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. The French Catholics claimed that you would be turned into a loup-garou if you did not follow the rules of Lent for seven consecutive years. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. 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. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. A 1981 report bywriter Jerry Breaux pulled from The Advocate archives recalls a conversation the writer had with his long-time friend, Hubert. And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! There are also stories of an enormous monster that also shares the bayou with the Rougarou and that is the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisiana's "bigfoot of the swamp." 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 . Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. Werewolves have transformed, too, and not just into the Teen Wolf tv show and movie. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. However, many people also believe it's just a dog. He told me it made no since for someone to be crossing the road at that point. There are many people in Louisiana who practice magic and wish curses upon us. 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. 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. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. The legend of the Rougaou goes back hundreds of years, originating in France. 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. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. Apparently that was a thing they did back then. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. Can you really only eat oysters in 'r' months? When French settlers came to Louisiana, the story came with them. Your email address will not be published. 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