One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Country's answer to Bigfoot. mystery of Marie Laveau, Louisianas Voodoo Queen, Jacques St. Germain, The Infamous Louisiana Vampire, Jean Lafitte: Mystery of the Unfound Treasure, History of the Louisiana Snowball and Its Flavors. The Rougarou (Cedar Point) roller coaster is located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore. The question nagged him into adulthood. Despite the Rougarou legend seemingly beginning as a way to scare Catholics and children, many locals maintain its existence and have their own personal stories, especially among the older generation. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. 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. Only you can prevent forest fires, and so only you can save Louisianas wetlands.. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Stories of these cajun folklore spirits originated in French culture and made their way into Louisiana folklore over time. People claim he leaves behind webbed footprints (presumably to navigate the swamps effectively) and mutilates wild boars. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! The article does not specify if this happened in the same area that he and his friend found the large footprints. For decades, the equivalent of one football field of coastline was lost per hour; while the rate has slowed, the regions long-term prognosis remains grim. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. Full report can be found on bfro.net Report # 56107. The sounds stopped just before it would have broke the tree line and became visible. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. I found a report from Civil War veteran Fredrick Kliebert who was walking home from a squirrel hunt when he saw what he described as a giant. 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. Their property backs up to a vast cypress swamp. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. This a great article!! And, if you know anything about sleep paralysis, you may have seen the culprit himself! Generations of children have heard the scary. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot About four weeks ago, PB and his 5-year-old daughter were walking along their long dirt driveway that leads to their home. There wasnt much to his story, but the seriousness of his delivery, and the apparent reluctance to tell me, gave his words credence. The Rougarou: Louisiana's Cajun Werewolf | Deborah Hatswell BBR Being Ready for the creatures that will haunt you in your sleep? Thats what we in Louisiana call the Rougarou, cher. Like other "monsters" Loch Ness, Bigfoot the Honey Island Swamp Monster has developed an enduring legend. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. 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. Since the migration, many of the legends began to change to match the times and the dialect. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. We may never really find out.. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. 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. 4. 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. A student attending St. Josephs seminary college had an experience that cannot be classified as a sighting, but rather and auditory experience. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . Their body would then undergo a transformation, and they would develop a craving for meat. Hi, I live in Terrebonne Parish near swampy land that was formerly called Devils Swamp. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! Before we get too far into an explanation let's first say it correctly, the proper pronunciation is, "Roo-Ga-Roo.". The Rougarou roams the bayou in search for misbehaving children to frighten. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. 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. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. 1983 St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. The Legends Of This Mythical Creature In Louisiana Are Terrifying Curious Louisiana explains it's not all random. 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. 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. Remnants of history freckle the map, whether its old and potentially haunted buildings, abandoned theme parks or even museums with some very strange collections. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. The rougarou, the Cajun cryptid said to haunt Louisiana's wetlands, is the mascot of a conservation effort for its traditional habitat. It was a full moon so it made spotting the Bullfrogs easier "super tasty btw", anyway we're wondering down by the . A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! The story was born in France in medieval times, when they actually believed in werewolves. Mysterious Swamp Monsters of Louisiana I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. A story in The Daily Comet titled "Tales of The Rougarou Still Haunt Local Memories" states, "In the past, rumors about strange or eccentric neighbors would float through small bayou communities, labeling various people as the dreaded Rougarou." Another well-known swamp monster born out of Cajun folklore is the Rougarou. These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors. Don't Miss The Best Festival In Louisiana, The Rougarou Fest "I heard the story from veteran hunters. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who dont follow the rules of Lent, which is similar to the telling of the old French stories. The hybrid whimpering could still be heard, and was clear and near, but still no visible sign of what was producing these sounds. He slowed down when he saw it because he got the impression that this was not a man. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. Sorcery is everywhere, and after repeated viewings of Hocus Pocus, we know what were dealing with. 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 . You can reach the Curious Louisiana team at CuriousLouisiana@theadvocate.com. Required fields are marked *. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the name Rougarou came to be. How does it differ from a traditional werewolf? Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Rougarou the Louisiana Monster Werewolf - Any Mystery The Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. There are quite a few roads that are known to be haunted or spirited in Louisiana, but none is quite as infamous as Bayou Sale Road, a long curvy road that connects Dulac, LA to Cocodrie, LA. Let us know in the comments below! This particular evening something strange caught the seminary students ear. Louisiana has a Nightmare on Bourbon Street situation going on that some arent aware of. The officer that reported this sighting stated he and his partner did not discuss this much past that night. THE ROUGAROU - Folklore, Myths & Legends Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. At the annual October events rougarou costume contest, the fests mascot is reimagined hundreds of different ways, including as an eco-activist. Some have claimed it to be the body of a Rougarou, though others have speculated it might be a Chupacabra or Devil Monkey. Why do Bud's Broiler's burger prices conflict? Catholics are told it will hunt down and kill them if they don't obey Lent. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. The beast is also a hit in pop culture here in Louisiana. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. On a different occasion that same Laplace man was out in the swamp with these two Doberman pinchers when he spotted a 7 foot tall bi-pedal creature that caused the dogs to run off. We love meat too, but come on. The Most Haunted Louisiana Road: Bayou Sale Road And speaking of scaring Catholics, one French Catholic myth claims that in order for someone to turn into a Rougarou, they must break Lent seven years in a row. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. Past participants have described the festival as fun, and until COVID it had managed to attract a decent crowd each year. 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. The short answer is oral tradition. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. I heard sounds Ive never heard and smells Id never smelled but never spied anything. Or else you may find yourself prey to the legendary Rougarou. 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. Louisiana monsters have been the subject of controversy for years. The full moon hangs high over the Louisiana swampland. This continued for 15 minutes until the sound started to travel away. They appear as fluorescent balls of light which loom over the marshlands of Louisiana. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. Not in the Pacific Northwest, but right there in Laplace! Dont believe us? we have similar creatures in northeastern NY along with a few other cryptids like pig men and Bigfoot but i also have seen a panther like cat with black bat like wings by the tree line in a small town along lake Champlain. Nope, not The GrinchThe Grunch. Its fingernails are grisly claws. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. A long-simmering proposal to dam the Pearl River near Jackson, Miss., has prompted concerns in southeast Louisina and southwest Mississippi about how such a project would impact the lower Pearl River. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. For the original report of this sighting visit bfro.net Report #2764, Late October, near Sorrento, Louisiana a commuter was heading home. Driving west on Airline Hwy. Numerous ghost sightings have been reported over the years, making it one of the most haunted landmarks in the USA. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. Their curse usually comes from a local witch, sometimes a voodoo priestess. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. Well written and well documented. However, due to its incredibly poor math skills, the beast can only count to 12. Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below! Their friendly, but often sinister, nature makes these Cajun fairies some of the most dangerous Louisiana monsters. Louisiana native. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Were not afraid. And as the stomping grounds for the rougarou have disappeared, so have tales about the beastuntil Foret made it his mission to save both. There also exist more supernatural explanations for the origins of the Rougarou. Two dead squirrels and a dead rabbit were found under the house where the creature had been rummaging. Where can you find a Rougarou? 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. Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou | PeachTown Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. [10] [11] Boxer Regis Prograis (of Creole descent) goes by the nickname Rougarou. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. It is said that you can protect yourself against the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. A human would have a substantial amount of trouble walking through the terrain. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Just Might Be Louisianas Biggest And Baddest Foodie Event, The Historic Restaurant In Louisiana Where You Can Still Experience The Old American South, 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, 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. 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. Some versions of the myth involve witchcraft, wherein a witch has the ability to curse someone to be a Rougarou. Discover Louisiana's legendary werewolf: the Rougarou. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Foret recalls hearing of one legendary rougarou run-in, when a young boy out for a stroll, armed with only his oyster knife, encountered the creature. 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. Another Louisiana swamp creature that seems rooted in lore is none other than the Rougarou, which is basically a Cajun version of the werewolf. Last but not least, the pinnacle of mythology in the bayou state and kingpin of all Louisiana monsters the Rougarou. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Thank you! Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. 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. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. 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.

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