Sometimes I mix all of these subjects together. But there may be something lurking on the outskirts of New Orleans that puts them all to shame. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which may not be specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. The Rougarou has a varied history, though all variations seem to trace it back to the French. This terrifying creature has evolved over millenniabut never lost the need to feed. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. 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. Watch Live . On a moonless night those are the darkest woods Ive ever trekked through.that includes the Black Forest, Mark Twain National Forest Missouri, the hills of West Virginia, and the Pine Flats in New Jersey. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. This way, his spell was broken, making him able to turn back into human form. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. Your email address will not be published. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. Rougarou. We love to hear your feedback. No purchase necessary. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. Belief in the monster was so strong that many civilians were accused . The officer that submitted this report has over 40 years in military and law enforcement, a degree in Anthropology, and self educated in Darwinism, math and quantum physics. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Its true! When travelling down the interstate or the backroads in Louisiana, youll see lots of beautiful scenery. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. For centuries, if you didnt follow Catholic traditions, such as observing Lent, or if you hunted on holy days, the rougarou would get you. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. What he told me next has stuck in my memory, and was the spark that lit the flame regarding personal interest I took in all things weird, and strange. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Screaming 'Forest Ghoul' Seen in Montana Mountains. This is why I always read terms and conditions. Local stories say the Rougarou roams the streets at night, antagonizing people to attack it. They will wreak havoc throughout the town until someone shoots or stabs the creature. The rougarou (also spelled rugaru or rugaroo) has its origins in 16th century medieval French folklore. And then I realized that is what I saw! Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. According to Cajun folklore, the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugar cane fields around the Acadiana and Greater New Orleans regions. A Police officer and his partner, responding to a neighborhood prowler call. Its too late to turn back! During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else. The Rougarou myth is even so prevalent that the term "rougarouing" or similar terms have become used to describe a person who stays up late or is active at night. Again, he urged the boy to stay silent about their encounter, but the boy wasn't able to keep the secret. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. If you thought voodoo was a thing of the past, think again! Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. 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. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. 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. Southall returns for second stint as Rougarou manager in 2023. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. 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. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. If you dont have the stomach to fight the beast, you can protect yourself through other means. Thank you! 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. Deep throughout the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a legendary werewolf type creature with sharp They had no clue to what creature could make such a sound. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. 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. Children are told by their elders to behave or else the Rougarou will get them. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! Offer subject to change without notice. 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.. Tue 05/30/23. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. 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. hisc hose nozzle parts. Whereas the loup-garou in France roamed the forest looking for children, the rougarou of Southern Louisiana lurks about the Bayou looking for prey. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. rougarou sightings in louisiana. Some Louisiana monsters are walking around in plain sight! In another variation of the story, the half man half wolf monster targets and kills Catholics that have failed to follow the rules of Lent. 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. The Louisiana werewolf is the rougarou of the bayoua very similar-looking creature. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. 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). I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Rougarou custom jerseys on sale now! Variations also associate it with animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens . Your email address will not be published. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. This unique festival is a great way to celebrate the folklore of the Southern Louisiana swamps, as well as celebrate the unique environmental heritage there. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. Back in the thick, fog-covered swamplands is where youll find the true beauty of Louisiana and perhaps even a monster or twoincluding the legendary beast called the Rougarou. The 12 year old that was operating the mini-bike accelerated so hard that thier cousin fell off the back. 9 REAL Sightings of the Rougarou | Darkness Prevails Darkness Prevails 631K subscribers Subscribe 4.7K 136K views 3 years ago It's like a real life werewolf, but worse. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. The Bible tells us to test the spirit(s) to see if it (they) come from God. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! 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. An elderly witness recently observed a pair of 8 foot tall upright canines stalking a herd of cattle in southern Beauregard Parish On May 4, 2020 I posted the following - Upright Canine (Possible 'Rougarou') Encountered in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana - In which a Beauregard Parish, Louisiana property owner and his young daughter encountered an utterly terrifying upright canine near their home. According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. The Loupe Garou has to be based on stories told by parents wanting there children to behave and make there beds clean the dishes ect ect. He has the body of a man, head of a werewolf, and sharp teeth that can seamlessly tear through flesh. 51. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The Cajuns (also known as Acadians) are an ethnic group that makes up a significant portion of south Louisianas population. Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Love Louisiana? 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. Deep in the swamps of south Louisiana, legend has it, there lives the Rougarou a mythical werewolf type creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-gar Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. Thanks for sharing it with us! But first, lets dive into some of its histories. Rougarou Caught on Aerial Footage Breakdown The Paranormal Review, Barbeque, and the Outdoors! There are documentaries about this you can easily find on YouTube. Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. Often the story of the Rougarou has been used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. 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 ended up passing within 15 yards of Mr. Klibert. Your email address will not be published. The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. The different versions of the Rougarou beast are as many as reported sightings of the beast. 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. Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. Witches?Witch doctors! Proud foodie. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. There she saw standing next to a tree 25 feet away a creature that she described as being extremely tall and white. After that point, her spell was lifted. Lover of writing, learning and teaching others about new things. The concepts surrounding the Rougarous supernatural abilities link it closely with traditional concepts of the mythical werewolf. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. 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