Jon Solo Sebastian 05/10/2024:

I’ve heard tales about areas within Louisiana since I was a teenager. Vampires roaming New Orleans, various ghosts, and dangerous hauntings, the wolf man or Rougarou terrorizing the swamp lands, and so many other tales from that area have been the foundation for movies and fictional novels to build stories upon. Is there any truth behind these tales? Do these creatures of the night exist? I’d certainly love to find out. I’d also love the opportunity to interview some of the locals in these areas of Louisiana to see if they’ve witnessed anything or encountered any of them.

While I’m certainly going to be writing about cryptids and other things that go bump in the night down in Louisiana in the future, this week’s monster of the week is the Rougarou! If you’ve read my short story series The Hunted, you’ll know I have a deep interest in werewolves. The Rougarou isn’t necessarily the same thing as a werewolf, or is it?

What is a Rougarou?

Roaming the swamps of Louisiana and striking fear into those who wander too deep into the swamplands, this beast of Cajun folklore is known as the Rougarou. Stemming from 18^th century French Canadian settlers is a story to frighten children, and those who are pulled from morality.

According to the folktales, the rougarou is said to be a cursed human who shapeshifts into a terrifying creature with a human-like body and the head of a wolf or dog; some eyewitness reports claim it to have a bat-like head as well. It is a tall muscular creature with dark brown or black fur, and large eyes that glow in the dark. Much like a werewolf or regular wolf, it can be heard howling from the depths of the swamplands at night.

It is said that breaking Christian vows is the main cause for a person to be cursed, and to be forced to live as a rougarou. The curse is believed to last for 101 days. During that period, it has an insatiable hunger, and the hunger intensifies as the rougarou continues to eat. It cannot starve, nor can it ever feel satisfied. Like many stories of cryptids and creatures of the night, the loss of livestock whether it be mutilated, taken, or drained of blood or meat, is blamed on the rougarou. It feeds on human flesh as well. When the 101 day curse ends, it is said to be transferred to another “wrong doer.”

The rougarou can shift from human-form to wolfman at random. I found no details stating if this is by choice of the cursed human, or if it happens as the hunger grows within the beast. I’d pin my guess on the latter. I’d also place the responsibility of the curse on some dark witchcraft because without being bit by another rougarou or a transfusion of some sort, it sounds more like someone placing the curse on a person who didn’t follow rules. There have been reports or hearsay that tells of rougarou biting humans to turn them into the cursed beast, which would lead me to believe the werewolf and rougarou are one in the same. This of course is all based on believing the rougarou is out there to begin with.

As you can imagine, the rougarou was a device to keep children in line back in the non modern days. “If you stay out passed curfew, or if you don’t do your chores, the rougarou will come for you.” Older folk would speak of missing children being eaten by the rougarou to ensure the younglings would not stray off on their own.

Sightings and Events

“In recent years, there have been several reported sightings of the rougarou, including one in 2016 in Houma, Louisiana. A video posted online showed what appeared to be a large, dark figure with glowing eyes walking through a residential neighborhood.” This 2016 sighting was apparently featured on the Travel Channel, but I was unable to find a link other than a YouTube trailer for something similar that looks interesting. There was an apparent sighting in Columbus, Ohio in 2014, but the only site with the report appears to be unavailable. Could it be the same beast of the swamps of Louisiana, or a different breed of the werewolf?

The ride formally known as the Mantis at Cedar Point in Ohio changed its name to Rougarou in 2015

One place in Ohio you will surely find a rougarou is none other than Cedar Point! I admittedly had no idea the ride formerly known as The Mantis is now called The Rougarou. It’s been a long while since I’ve been to the amusement park, so this is a pleasant surprise. The ride travels over a swamp-like pond and eerie sounds are played over the speakers. I might have to check this one out!

One of America’s top ten festivals, the Rougarou Fest embraces it’s local folklore and turns it into a family friendly party. There’s live music, cultural activities, Cajun food, activities for children, and a parade. According to Houma Today, the festival is the main fundraising source for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center. It’s a nonprofit organization that teaches about the disappearing coast of Louisiana.

Considering sightings have dwindled down over centuries, it would seem the rougarou joins many of its fellow creatures of the night as being no more than a myth. But the Agent Mulder in me wants to believe they exist, or still exist. What do you believe?