rougarou sightings in louisiana
In this version, the Rougarou is in human form during the day, only transforming at night, meaning he could blend in with society and no one would ever know! 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. 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 . Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. So normally I dont believe it till I see it but in this case I saw it before I even heard about it and now I totally believe it. If you werent already aware, New Orleans has a prominent vampire subculture. 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. Who knows what it is? That's how I knew it wasnt a bear, another witness reported. Even today he refuses to let anyone see it.". The Rougarou is also thought to be nothing more than a bogeyman story to scare children or Catholics into obedience. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. 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. There are multiple categories you can enter, including ones for kids and pets. I remember he kept repeating something to the effect of look, Im not sure what I saw. At that time the only reference I had to Bigfoot was a few TV shows and a book I checked out a few times from my schools library. If your keys go missing without explanation, it could be a Lutin! Their full transformation into their Rougarou form would be completed once they had their first bite of human flesh. Curious Louisiana answers. 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. 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 Caribbean island nation of Haiti, already steeped in the dark lore of zombies and voodoo magic, also has its own version of the infamous werewolf, which they call the je-rouges, or "red eyes." It is also referred to it as the French loup-garou and by the Creole word lougarou. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. But as someone who lives in Louisiana and knows many Catholics who break Lent, I'm not so sure about this myth's validity. 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. What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. Apparently, when a person changes into a Rougarou they forget how to count past 12 (probably since they only worry about midnight and the moon at this point). For the sake of anonymity this family friend will remain nameless, so I will refer to him as Mr. Nameless. Its a hybrid mixture of escaped circus chimpanzees and alligators which now live in the swamps of St. Tammany Parish. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. 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. "Who. We love meat too, but come on. Stumbling upon the LObservateur article reignited my borderline obsessive interest in these types of creature sightings. This will perplex it, and it will keep recounting until the sun comes up and it must flee. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. Beasts called loup-garous, which means werewolves in French, were also infamous throughout the country. There was also a story that was told to kids that if they didnt do what their parents asked, a loup-garou would come and steal them away in the middle of the night. We all have a notion that this world is a lot stranger than it seems on a surface level. The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. 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. 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. We cant make this stuff up. These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. 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. Loup is French for Wolf, and Garou refers to a man that transforms into an animal. When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. Theres a lot of blue tarps still on roofs everywhere, says Foret. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! According to these legends, the Rougarou when it comes across the pennies will begin to count them. He told himself if whatever that was jumps out at me, I can always hit the accelerator. When he got to the area where the creature crossed the road, he looked out the drivers side window but did not see anything. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dad's house for the evening. 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. Other variations say a Rougarou can turn their victims merely by making eye contact. The seminary student had the urge to run back to the monastery to tell someone but a thought emerged NO. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. 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. I got more specific with my search terms and soon stumbled upon something that reignited the idea of a creature like Bigfoot existing in our parts. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from the beast. 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. People say, behind the disguises, theyre really the spirits of babies who died before baptism. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Be careful, because Louisiana monsters are all over! The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. That festival is cool because it links folklore to current issues and things that people need to be aware of, Rabalais says. 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. A close friend of the family who was on . one football field of coastline was lost per hour. Legend says a group of albino dwarves isolated themselves from society in the woods just outside of New Orleans. Back in the day of armor, swords and jousting, there was a lot more to fear than the plague and witches. A cattle bridge that crossed the Yellow Water River was mentioned as a landmark in the report. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. If youre familiar with Louisianas history, you know voodoo is part of it. No, you dont become a Rougarou from a bite or scratch, or from losing a bet. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html. Lover of all things comedy, photography, and travel related. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. 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. Personally, Id never hear about something terrible and say, Yep, thats definitely the work of a werewolf. Did your house get ransacked during the night? The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide, US Ghost Adventures New Orleans Ghosts Review. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. 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." 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 Giants body appeared to be covered with reddish hair. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Every year in October, there is a festival held in downtown Houma called the Rougarou Fest. Despite being a monster of legends, just like its cousin the werewolf, the Rougarou has its weakness. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. This was a deep dense pine forest with rolling Knolls and the occasion small marsh(bayou). Once turned around, the cousin looked back and observed the creature now walking in the middle of the road and at a quicker pace toward the children. 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. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. According to the woman, "The next day a prominent physician appeared in town with his right arm cut and in a sling. A few seconds passes and she started to feel a fear building inside. The woman also reported finding hair all over the yard front steps, and porch. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. Frogs croak their songs in the distance and mosquitos buzz as they fly around looking for their next meal. Cauchemar actually means nightmare in Louisiana French and Creole. 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 true! My Encounter With a Rougarou "aka Louisiana Werewolf". After being spotted, the creature ran between two houses then continued to the street when it passed under a streetlight. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The story of the Letieche is Louisianas Jungle Book. 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. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. Origins of the Rougarou lie in 16th Century medieval French Folklore. Is there really a Honey Island Swamp Monster, Louisiana's Bigfoot? Its incredible that I actually witnessed one and I do believe thats the only thing it couldve been. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! Long, thin arm attached to a 6 to 7 foot frame. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Is there a Louisiana werewolf? In the late summer of the early 90's (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. 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. Honey Island Swamp Monster Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. We know what you are probably thinking. It was late in the evening when Mr. Nameless flagged me down. It was enough just enough working knowledge for me to form an opinion. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. 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. Cajun legend says that the beast hunts down Catholics who don't follow the rules of Lent. In the swamps within the Greater New Orleans area and the Acadiana is where this beast has come to live. I had relatives that lived in Covington," Brettel said. See. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. The seminary student stood still, they got the impression that the source of the noise was moving along a path in the woods and getting closer. Curious Louisiana answers. This version varies from being a Bigfoot legend to resembling something more like a wendigo. An illegal moonshine distilling business once drove much of the area's economy, but competition could be shot down without any repercussions, according to the article. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. It is known as the most haunted road in the entire state. This beast first sighted in 1963 is reminiscent of the popular DC character known as Swamp Thing. The brave friend dismissed what she saw for a moment and continued to search for the purse in the dark. 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. 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. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. When many of the French migrated to Canada and the southern United States, they took the legend of the loup-garou with them. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@theadvocate.com. 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. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. 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. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. I hunt all over america and even in Africa a couple times ive run across crap that has made me avoid entire states and run across other things that i tried to stalk and kill one of these things i tried to kill is a loup garou i lived in deep louisiana until i was 11 i know about these things your gonna need some back story for this i subscribe to the idea that they are cursed humans and will have the curse till they die like wherewolves and the loup garou may even be a wherewolf because the only time ive ever found a claim of one that i couldnt easily blow off the description was the same as a where wolf like a humanoid grizzly bear on two legs with lots of steroids that aside i was doing some hunting one night for hog and saw a huge animal walk out stood 6 or 7 feet tall on two legs couldnt make out fine details due to light but i took a shot at it after i saw enough to realize it wasnt human i shot it in the head with a 45-70 those of you who dont get that its a rifle capable of taking large game like an elephant with one shot very strong round and for those of you who are gun people ill give some specs it was a 500 grain soft lead bullet hot loaded on 72 grains of powder (that doesnt sound like much but i shoot black powder in it not smokeless and no its not a muzzle loader it shoots brass cased bullets like a normal gun) anyway i hit it in the head and it got really pissed of and started to charge from about 200 yards away i shot it again in the chest and it ran off i spent the night tracking it mind you this all happemed at about 10 i only quit when i lost blood trail and foot print trail right around daylight i went home and that night there was a story of a man whos body had been found with two large holes that resembled bullet holes but it was ruled out because there was no trace of any lead or powder and he was drained of all his blood that chalked it up to a satanic ritual now to me it sounds like i killed a loup garou but hey maybe its still out there and just really pissed off. But for decades, hes wondered about one of the swamp's fabled creatures the Honey Island Swamp Monster, a legendary 500-pound beast that some claim hides amid the cypress trees andmurky waters. troy landrey talked about it on swamp people. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. Once the rougarou settled into southern Louisianas swampy shadows, it took on some aspects of local Native American cryptids, such as a legendary Choctaw shapeshifting owl-witch.
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