That is if we are to believe that these creatures are flesh and blood biological entities. A lover of tasty meat, he lurks in swamps and hunts down unsuspecting humans. At this point, you are probably wondering just how the legend began. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. They described it as a cross between a whimpering dog and human crying. 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. Registration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and the contest begins at 4 p.m. No purchase necessary. All the cliches are therethey come out at night mostly. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. Required fields are marked *. Described as looking like a sloth, the creature was covered in a light grey hair, had a small round head and a brown nose. It was getting late so I was heading back to my dads house for the evening. The line on the trees in this picture taken Nov. 16, 2017, shows the swamp's typical high-water mark, which generally arrives in the spring. What is a Rougarou, Exactly? - CryptoVille 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. The student waited 5 more minutes to see if the sounds would return but the encounter was over. One recent supposed sighting came from a woman in Harvey, Louisiana, who claimed she saw a Grunch eating one of her neighbor's dogs. The curse is transferred when it draws another human's blood. For instance, in 2015, the floorless roller coaster Mantis was renamed Rougarou. The dark figure crossed the road from the passenger side to the driver side, so it was traveling due south when it crossed the road. March 18th 2022 was the full moon or the Worm Moon and as I was driving down i49 something crossed the road it was almost like a creature I seen in Scooby-Doo doo it ran so fast across the highway on 2 feet and was so tall. The rougarou is like our Smokey the Bear, says Foret. Sightings have given rise to a number of stories describing creepy things that hide in the dark and dont play nice. Outside of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster, there were not many stories that I found in my preliminary search. Ruston doesnt have a swamp, but if it did. A quick browse and youll find many pictures of the Rougarou. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. In Assumption Parish it is common place for house to be built substantially off the ground to withstand inevitable flood waters. Curious Louisiana answers. It has the face of a canine with many sharp, frightening teeth. Childrens authors have started using alligators as characters. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. This creature, also called Loup garou, is so popular it was depicted on the hit television series Supernatural. "This thing had a flat back. After the officers spoke to the complainant they decided to do a search of the perimeter. They are a defining characteristic of Louisiana culture and make the state a truly unique place to live. People who didnt have a lot of physical or social power in society found a way to survive through being clever., Even Louisianas infamous and very real alligators have undergone a rebranding. 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. I remember when the physician shot himself here in Lockport. At this point, the beast is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface. I think its fascinating,'' said Brettel. Case closed. This was one interesting problem that they had to deal with centuries ago. A story in The Nicholls Worth, a local college paper, titled "Rougarou Remains Strong Figure in Cajun Folklore," recounts a story from a woman about an experience in her youth. Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? 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. He sees it as an example of the way cryptids evolve alongside the cultures that created them. Full report can be found at http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. Its essentially a werewolf with a cajun spin on it. Why do Bud's Broiler's burger prices conflict? 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. 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. A recent novel called The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. The bright lights of the stars flicker in the murky licks of the waves near the towering, ominous Cypress trees. The commuter stated that the headlights of his car shined directly onto the creature so they got a pretty good look at it. It's got to be the Rougarou, the infamous werewolf of the bayou. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The tale of Rougarou originates from Southern Louisiana, and is often told to young children to prevent them from misbehaving. 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. Well written and well documented. 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. Your email address will not be published. But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night. 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. Save the Swamp: But, Beware the "Rougarou" - The National Wildlife 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. In the late summer of the early 90s (actual year up for debate), I was riding my bike. The neighbor then said he saw an 8 foot tall creature standing on two legs. 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. Don't Miss The Best Festival In Louisiana, The Rougarou Fest Louisiana's Rougarou Fest - Enchanted Living Magazine Overall, Weve seen the evolution of the werewolf become a more sophisticated, debonair character, Ancelet says. The few folks that lay eyes on these creatures are simply catching an interloper just visiting. 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. For instance, instead of labourer, meaning to plow, sometimes youll hear Cajuns say rabourer. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Indigenous Desserts of Turtle Island With Mariah Gladstone, University of Massachusetts Entomology Collection, The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island, The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earths History, How Communities Are Uncovering Untold Black Histories, The Medieval Thieves Who Used Cats, Apes, and Turtles as Accomplices, The Haunting True Story of Bridget Clearys Changeling Murder, Beware Montanas Shunka Warakin, the 'Rocky Mountain Hyena', Beware the Wendigo, the Frostbitten Flesheater of North Americas Chilly Heartland, Beware the Skinwalkers, Werewolf Witches of the American Southwest, Beware the Thunderbird, Badass Cryptid of the Skies, Show & Tell With Antiquarian Horologist Nico Cox, How Singapore's Haw Par Villa Brings Hell to Life, This Once-Thriving Hotel Couldn't Compete With Climate Change. When they were choosing the new name, one of the trademarks filed for was the name the New Orleans Rougarou. Curious Louisianaconnects readers with our newsroom's reporting. Thank you! Strange noise ? Jerry Major's Curious Louisiana question is more than an inquiry about a pronunciation. In the legend, this beast is often described as having the body of a man and the head of a wolf or a dog and prowls Louisiana swamps looking for misbehaving children. It was a fall evening and this student was walking on a road in back of the property that borders cow pastures and piney woods. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one. During this time, however, the Rougarou was called Loup-garou. The short answer is oral tradition. Near Avenue A around 9pm, He arrived at the scene and spoke to the lady that called it in. In the article, we will attempt to answer these questions and more. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. The cryptid, usually described as a towering, hairy monster, is allegedly a human cursed to take beastly form. The rougarou (or loup-garou) is a monster from Cajun folklore.

Things That Sound Like Gunshots, Sims 4 Clutter Cc Maxis Match, Characteristics Of Olivia And Viola Compare And Contrast, Field Artillery Battery Organization, Articles R