Back in the 16th century, theyd regularly blame various crimes on loup-garous. Curious Louisiana answers. Great words, you could make a short story out of that Peason Ridge setting! Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. Discovering the Rougarou - ArcGIS StoryMaps Honey Island Swamp Monster In this region; cities, towns, and neighborhoods tend to arise on the dry patches of earth that are surrounded by vast, thick, primordial swamp. Its fingernails are grisly claws. 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. Once the human is cursed, it is permanent. 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. The Rougarou has also been tied to the story of the Deridder Roadkill. 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. The name changed to rougarou in Cajun Louisiana because l and r are linguistically liquid consonants and they change places a lot, says Barry Jean Ancelet, a Cajun folklorist and professor emeritus with the University of Lafayette. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. More than a millennium ago, vampires were demonic vectors of disease, possibly reflecting the very real threat of rabies. 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. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! 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Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. The details of just seeing the eyes suggest that this sighting happened in the early morning while it was still dark. 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. The Rougarou Supernatural Cameo Explained, Legend of the Rougarou: The Complete Loup-garou Guide. When the first drop of blood is drawn, the creature returns to human form and tells the attacker who it really is. 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. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! 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 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 another variation of the story, the half man half wolf monster targets and kills Catholics that have failed to follow the rules of Lent. Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. 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 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. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. 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. Once the girl was halfway to the vehicle she noticed her friend was still standing at the front door of the house. Legend of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf Had me captured. In closing Ive always considered Yeti to be more of a possibility than a werewolf. The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans has an exhibit dedicated to the Rougarou, which includes a statue of the creature itself. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings. Louisiana has the most unique culture Ive discovered in the US and thats saying something being a native of Appalachia. The man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. 9 Scariest Louisiana Monsters from Folklore, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou, Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Cauchemar, Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts in 2021. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. 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The Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf. - Paranomaly Podcast 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." 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. 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. 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. 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. Wow, this is most definitely going to be my art project gonna be difficult but I'll get it done. The jury is still out on this one, because people cant seem to figure out exactly what the Lutin isand theres good reason! Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. A monster? In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. This sighting took place just north of the Manchac Swamp region, about a quarter mile away from Hwy. Some even suggest a mix of biological and fringe. For those of you who haven't heard th. I suppose anything is possible, and while the Bigfoot sighting phenomena originated in the Pacific Northwest, it seems more than plausible that such a creature could exist here. Some sources claim the myth originated in medieval France, when belief in werewolves would have been far more prevalent. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. 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). Its rumored that Lutins can take any form, including cats (especially white ones), hobgoblins, elves, and other strange creatures. The trickster figure really went from being the bad guy, the one to watch out for, to being a hero, says Rabalais, adding that the shift reflected the reality of the people who told and retold the stories. Stories of the rougarou in Louisiana derive largely from 16th-century French legends of a beast called loup garou, essentially a werewolf. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. If you decide to attend the festival or find yourself around the swamps, make sure to remember the tricks and tactics we covered in this article. In this version, the Rougarou would live life as a normal person until some event occurred that triggered their condition. "Reporting a sighting of Bigfoot, Sasquatch and even the Honey Island Swamp Monster does not get you labeled a crazy person anymore, and therefore, those who believe eyewitnesses are not labeled crazy either," said Dana Holyfield, granddaughter of Harlan Ford a man often credited with having the first recorded encounter with the purported swamp monster. In others, they are demonic forces that play tricks and lead you to your demise in the swamps. We do have water spirits, such as Leviathan, a giant alligator spirit, who is actually mentioned in the Bible. The next day the man found the two Dobermans decapitated. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? These stories were used to keep children in line and out of the woods. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. The brave friend stated that something in her mind told her to look ahead. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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. 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. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. The Rougarou of the Bayou Louisiana is a fascinating place whose history is rich with legends from long ago. These Louisiana monsters claim they feel lethargic and drained if they dont get the proper serving size of blood in on the regular. History of the Rougarou: Louisiana's Werewolf - Pelican State of Mind Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. Louisiana native. Even if I didnt believe his story, I believe his demeanor when recounting it. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! Thanks for sharing it with us! Your email address will not be published. Was there really a monster in the swamps? Rougarou - Wikipedia This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Out hunting for deer, Hubert was perched atop an oak tree when he heard heavy sounds approaching from the woods behind him. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. Its true! Legend of the Rougarou, a Louisiana werewolf - The Daily Advertiser Legendary Monsters of Louisiana: Rougarou | PeachTown She describes the Rougarou as "an important identification marker for South Louisiana's culture." It was a full moon so it made spotting the Bullfrogs easier "super tasty btw", anyway we're wondering down by the . Well, the rougarou of the Bayou country has a pretty strong link to the werewolf of ancient times in Europe and France. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. 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! Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. 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. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. 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. Audobon's website also has Rougarou t-shirts for sale. One day her husband was walking back from his shop in the backyard, and was pretty shook up over what he witnessed. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. For more information, visit the Rougarou Fest website, and don't forget to give them a follow on Facebook so you don't miss out on any announcements. Heed our warning and be on the look out for cajun folklore monsters when youre roaming the wildest parts of the bayou state. Enjoy these allegedly. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. He hides in tall grass near Grunch Road in New Orleans, LA, waiting to prey on teens who park there. It now craves human flesh and overturns small boats to devour and feast! When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. 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. Coming across this story made me reach out to Mr. Nameless to see if he would entertain the idea answering some questions about the experience he had in the early 90s. Cauchemar is a monster that leaps out of childrens dreams and rides their backs. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. 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. 61 when they saw a creature pop up out from the bank of the canal that parallels Airline. Rougarou the Louisiana Monster Werewolf - Any Mystery The report suggests that these two encounters took place in roughly the same area. Many rumors haunt this road, also known as LA-57. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. In a new subdivision that was still being developed named Sheryls Meadows, a 12 year old riding their mini-bike along with their cousin saw a lumbering creature approximately 500 yards away. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. An estimated 15,000 people now attend Rougarou Festival, which still manages to provide a very genuine peek into a culture and a land unlike any other in the world. 4. According to Native American legends, theres a creature in Terrebonne Parish that is the spirit of a child reincarnated as a beast. Across French Louisiana, it is a very common legend, and most Louisiana natives are very familiar with at least the name, if nothing else.

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