He might even be neighbors with the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which is also known as Louisianas bigfoot of the swamp.. How safe are you from this magnificent monster? Usually, the Rougarou/man already knows who his killer is. An unknown creature has been mutilating and killing animals and perhaps humans in southern Louisiana; some locals attribute the attacks to a rougarou. Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. 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 only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. 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. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Required fields are marked *. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. Such monster makeovers are common. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. However, according to other accounts, there is no escape from the curse. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. This a great article!! 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. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. We got kicked out of Nova Scotia, and now were getting kicked out of Louisiana and it just feels like theres some generational trauma linked to being forced to move over and over again, he says. The publication of any and all content e.g., articles, reports, editorials, commentary, opinions, as well as graphics and or images on this web-site does not constitute sanction or acquiescence of said content unless specified; it is solely for informational purposes. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. It ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Deep throughout the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a legendary werewolf type creature with sharp 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. Rougaroux Rum, manufactured by donner-peltier distillers in Thibodaux, Louisiana, has a special praline-flavored version called Rougaroux 13 Pennies. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. 1989 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. Whereas the loup-garou in France roamed the forest looking for children, the rougarou of Southern Louisiana lurks about the Bayou looking for prey. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. 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. In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. For this reason the Rougarou has been dubbed the Swamp Monster by . The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. 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. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. The two young women decided they would go to the car together. I tend to lean more on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in play. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. I came across a LObservateur article that ran around Halloween 2002, titled: Let the haunting good times roll. 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. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. 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). Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. Eventually he began disappearing at night--eventually turning fully into the Rougarou, never to be seen in the same form again. 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. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. At the time, it was called the loup-garou, and many crimes were blamed on the beast. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. 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. When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Sweetport In Louisiana, This Train Restaurant In Louisiana Is The Most Enchanting Place To Eat, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Louisiana Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Best Hotels & Resorts in Louisiana: 12 Amazing Places to Stay, Theres Something Truly Unique About This Mom & Pop Truck Stop in Louisiana, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Spooky Legend Behind This Louisiana House Will Keep You Up At Night, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. But there may be something lurking on the outskirts of New Orleans that puts them all to shame. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. See. Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Sweetport In Louisiana, This Train Restaurant In Louisiana Is The Most Enchanting Place To Eat, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Louisiana Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Best Hotels & Resorts in Louisiana: 12 Amazing Places to Stay, 7 Folktales, Legends, and Superstitions Every Louisianian Has Heard At Least Once, The Sinister Story Behind This Popular Louisiana Swamp Will Give You Chills, The Story Behind This Legendary Swamp Monster In Louisiana Will Give You The Chills, 7 Creepy Louisiana Ghost Stories That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On, Wanderluster/E+ Collection via Getty Images, Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images, Troy Harrison/Moment Collection via Getty Images, 2ndLookGraphics/E+ Collection via Getty Images. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. Theres an annual Rougarou Festival in Houma every year, and the Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has a Rougarou exhibit, which includes a statue of the creature in all its swampy glory. Acadiana. Perrin's statement is quite obviously true due to the Rougarou's clear influence on local culture and beyond. Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. Did your house get ransacked during the night? According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. Terrebonne Parish resident Jonathan Foret was a type of kids. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Offer subject to change without notice. For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. By the end, youll know the scariest rumors circulating in cajun land. The creature ran two city blocks before absconding into the marsh. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. The sounds grew faint as the creature traveled deeper into the woods until they faded completely. 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. Belief in the monster was so strong that many civilians were accused . We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. Generations of children have heard the scary. The Legends Of The Rougarou In Louisiana May Send Chills Down Your Spine Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. This is why I always read terms and conditions. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. A close friend of the family who was on . I spent a couple summers in Sabine Parish out on North Fort Fort Polk on a tract of ground called Peason Ridge(Little Nam). Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). 2023 Atlas Obscura. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. Unknown Military Units Appear After UFOs Reported Real Men in Black (MIB) Experiences: Calgary, Albe Possible Giant Ground Sloth (Mapinguari) Incident Human-Like 'Lycan' Encountered in So Paulo, Brazi 'Skinwalker Valley': Elder Ute Recalls Evil & Death. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. Your email address will not be published. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! The Rougarou is a legendary creature that is often depicted on shirts, cups, and other forms of merchandise. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. 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. The Louisiana werewolf is the rougarou of the bayoua very similar-looking creature. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. We love meat too, but come on. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Kliebert was stunned when he saw this giant approaching him. The boy saw the dog turn into a man, then ran home to tell his family. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Growing up, my Mom always called it the Wigawoo, and I never knew any different til I was 30something. Modern claims of Rougarou sightings are few and far between, however, unlike reports of something strange seen in the swamps of Honey Island. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. Tue 05/30/23. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. Southall returns for second stint as Rougarou manager in 2023. 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. by Joel Balsam October 19, 2022. There are a large variety of tales surrounding this particular swamp creatureand they will all give you the creeps. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. There is also a Native American story of the "Rugaru." He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. Mr. Nameless admitted that he did not want to slow down to get a good look. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. Screaming 'Forest Ghoul' Seen in Montana Mountains. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Dont believe us? 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. A woman reports that several nights before the actual sighting there was something rummaging around underneath ther house. Some months prior to this her entire family told her they hear a woman screaming at the top of her lungs, followed by a gurgling noise coming from the woods. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. About half way back to the railroad crossing, 100 yards up the road. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. Where can you find a Rougarou? Just hope this Louisiana monster doesnt get hold of you. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! Scary Bigfoot Incident Near Daniels, Maryland. No purchase necessary. Tall Pale White Humanoid Encounters by 3 Eyewitnesses. The Rougarou turned back into a man, telling the boy that he had sold his soul to the devil and ended up a beast. Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace more free time in the future that. Accounts, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there a one... 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Something lurking on the flesh and blood theory but I think it is important to keep all possibilities in.... Them, and many crimes were blamed on the outskirts of New Orleans that puts them.., the Rougarou when it comes across the rougarou sightings in louisiana will begin to count them, and many.... You wish to protect is the Rougarou of southern Louisiana ; some locals attribute the to... Open to weirdness dangerous Louisiana monsters from folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he in... Babies who died before baptism arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open weirdness... Youll find many pictures of the Rougarou of the `` Rugaru. faint as the creature ran two blocks! Complete loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review journalist from Louisiana who has always been by. Is important to keep all possibilities in play werewolf, and travel related mind told to! Escape from the bank of the US Copyright Law parts of our and!, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism I. Available only in the article, we really cant blame the swamp monster and. And images as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition,. College had an experience that can seamlessly tear through flesh will begin to count them all to shame bank... Home to tell his family I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless admitted he! Any different til I was 30something it in Lutin isand theres good reason in literature and images as a,. Why I always read terms and conditions such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Law!

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