document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have successfully subscribed to the PeachTown newsletter. Here's what health officials, restaurants say. The lady said, "The next day, a distinguished physician arrived in town with his right arm bandaged and cut. When the child saw the dog transform into a man, he dashed home to tell his family. I'm considering creating a documentary on the legend of the Rougarou when I get some more free time in the future. 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. 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. 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. The only credibility I can give to these reports is that they ran in the paper. Curious Louisiana answers. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. But as with all great monsters, certifiable proof has been elusive. 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. 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. This legendary creature of Cajun folklore is often depicted in literature and images as a man with a wolfs or dogs head. 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. The three adult men surveyed the area from the inside of the truck. Generations of youngsters have heard the scary tales. 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. "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. The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. He let his mind wander. She says a local boy was being followed by a dog when he decided to cut it with his pocketknife. While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! 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 giant was walking westerly at a quick pace with a sorrowful but purposeful look. Years later the seminary student was watching a television program about Bigfoot and they played audio of a suspected Sasquatch. Aside from snakes and alligators, there are lots of predators and other scary things living there. The villagers would capture people they believed to be a loup-garou and then hold a public trial. 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. 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. In fact, instead of wolfish features, most Cajuns will describe the rougarou as resembling a dog or owl. 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. 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 man heard a noise behind him; he turned around and witnessed two large, red eyes staring back at him. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Even the act of self-defense could be life-altering. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Discover the secrets of Louisiana lifestyle and explore Ruston, home of the Peach Festival. In these times, many crimes were blamed on the beast, ranging from theft to kidnapping of children. The unfortunate person is under the spell for 101 days. She finally located the purse she grabbed it and quickly ran inside the house. Considering how many hunters love senselessly killing wild boars, we really cant blame the swamp monster. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. For instance, there is a legend that says placing 13 pennies at entrances you wish to protect is the way to go. I believe that people are seeing these poor mangy bears instead of werewolves. This is similar to that of a traditional werewolf, however, unlike a werewolf, the Rougarou during the day appears weak, sickly, and vulnerable. I had been riding my bike through the trails in the woods that were in the back of Laplace Park. The student would take evening walks while saying the rosary. Immense fear or indifference could be contributed to psychic phenomena that are sometimes reported with these types of sightings. 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. It was near 2am and both parties were hesitant to walk to the car to retrieve the purse. The only way to arrive at the truth is to keep your mind open to weirdness. As it gets to 13, it becomes confused. What he described to me, in my mind was a Bigfoot sighing. Its fingernails are grisly claws. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. You can find information on the legend of Cauchemar in folklore from all around the world, and it even exists in the Deep South. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. We can only hope Ruston, LA never decides to build a Grunch Road. Talk of the monster, of course, is also a staple of some of the swamp tours operating in the area. Mr. Nameless wasnt sure what he saw, but I was convinced. 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. I am using it as research for a short story that I am wtiting. Southeast Louisiana Bigfoot Sightings. The New Orleans Pelicans had originally thought about changing their names from the Hornets to the Rougarous at one point! Makes that morning commute not seem so bad, right? Other more out there schools of thought would suggest that these creatures or of a different origin, Alien, Spirit, even faerie. I am a journalist from Louisiana who has always been fascinated by folk lore and its cultural impact. http://www.gcbro.com/LAassumption03-12-2016.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAlivingston0001.html, http://www.gcbro.com/LAsttammany0004.html. 1990-1992 (early 90s) St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. The Rougarou: Southern Louisiana The legends of the rougarou, or loup-garou, have been passed down from generation to generation as long as Louisiana has been inhabited by modern man. She witnessed someone slinking around her property. Foret grew up in southern Louisiana, between the Atchafalaya Basin and New Orleans, where stories of the rougarou are most often heardand he wouldnt venture into wooded areas at night because of them. Such monster makeovers are common. I realized that parts of our folklore and our oral traditions were getting lost, he says. However embracing legends, customs and tradition is the very foundation of culture. In this article, were going to highlight the top 9 Louisiana monsters from folklore and legends. The student claimed it was the exact same sounds they heard during their encounter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. It stands upright on two legs, and is covered in hair. Bears can stand up and run on their hind legs, whereas, wolves cannot. A woman named Barbara Mullins discovered a supposedly unidentifiable carcass on the side of the road in 1996. A large dark figure on two legs crossed the road. As the rougarou lunges forward he defends himself and cuts its arm, thus releasing the curse from that person and putting it onto [himself].. He checked out the deer kept driving and turned around at the lake headed back towards Hwy. 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. The Rougarou, also known as the loup-garou, is essentially Louisiana's bayou-dwelling werewolf, and it's a prominent figure in Cajun folklore. Dragons, once the ultimate test of a heros courage, have been effectively domesticated. Its popularity has seen it placed on shirts, mugs, in Hollywood and even seen roller coasters named after it. We may never really find out.. They take up residence in your home and play harmless tricks on you, so you shouldnt be too alarmed. Strange noise ? 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. 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. The Rougarou will see the 13 objects, try to count them, and be unable to count them all. Feel free to email me at [email protected]. The friend described a chilling encounter one warm morning. 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. Legends of the Rougarou. 7910 park ave houma, la (985) 580-7289 . When faced with a supernatural beast that has superhuman strength, speed, and sharp claws and teeth, chances are you wouldnt be feeling very lucky. The neighbor, who was unaware of the husbands sighting, stated that while walking with his dog in the woods, his dog got spooked and ran back toward their house. You interact with them, theyre dancing and theyre nice. Despite your personal beliefs in the supernatural, these legends abound and continue to be told in the cajun lands to this day. But first, lets dive into some of its histories. The article contained a short anecdotal account of an unnamed Laplace man that in 1983 saw something correlates with what Mr. Nameless saw. Oh wow that sounds like an interested read, Bill! These loup-garous became a fear for many people in the country, leading to them earning their place in legends passed down to children. One of the most compelling reports occurred in Marrero, LA circa 1970. Most Christians believe any spirit that is not a holy one is a demonic spirit. According to reports, this Louisiana monster looks human, except for his sharp teeth, goat legs, and many abnormalities. Standing on two legs on top of a fallen, moss-covered tree is a large, snarling beast. This suggests an explanation for the abundance of stories from locals about seeing a Rougarou for themselves. The legend is believed to have originated from French Canadian immigrants in the late 1700's. There are hundreds of light . The story of the Rougarou supposedly changed once French immigrantsor possibly also French-Canadian immigrantscame to live in the area that is now Louisiana. Both the officer and his partner got a good look at the creature when it passed under the streetlight. "I heard the story from veteran hunters. One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Countrys answer to Bigfoot. The story of the Rougarou (the Louisiana swamp monster) is not a new tale to anyone that lives or grew up in Louisiana. You have permission to edit this article.

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