foreign
[Music]
Every culture every civilization has its myths and monsters. Some are woven into their religion like
the Vironsusi of the Sami people of Finland, the story of Tezcatlipoca who turned into a jaguar in
Aztec mythology, and other such creatures shared with Maya and Toltec cultures of Mesoamerica.
Then there are the Draugr the Joormangandr and the Fenrir of Norse mythology in Scandinavia,
and The Rock Apes with different names in Vietnam Laos Cambodia and Thailand.
We cannot forget the Yeti or Abominable Snowman of Tibet who according to legend
lives in the Himalayas. However just as some Native Americans in the United States also
have within their folklore the stories of the Sasquatch better known as Bigfoot, Skin Walkers
and other spirits the Cajuns of the bayous in Louisiana have their own creatures of legend.
One in particular is the Rougarou. What is the Rougarou also known as the Loup-garu? Where did it
come from, and did it become involved in the War of 1812? Hello I'm Colin Heaton former Soldier,
Marine Corps Scout sniper history professor historian and book author and we will answered
these questions and other issues on this segment of Forgotten History [Music]
The origins of the Rougarou lie in medieval French folklore the first are written accounts
coming in the 16th century during that time in France the Rougarou was called the Loop-guru.
"Loop" is French for Wolf and "garu" refers to a man that transforms into an animal. According
to folklore the monster is said to inhabit the swamps and sugarcane fields around Acadiana,
Lake Pontchartrain, and the greater New Orleans regions. Often the story of the Rougarou has been
used to instill fear in the hearts of Cajun children as a way to command obedience and
correct their behavior. As the story goes the half-man half-wolf monster targets and
kills Catholics that have failed to follow the rules of Lent. 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.
The tales of the Rougarou describe it as being a large beast standing up to 10 feet tall with
the body of a human covered with thick hair and the head of a wolf or in some cases a large dog,
usually dark in color but also often with pale white fur and with very prominent fangs, claws
and red eyes that are said to glow brightly. Other versions say it is a more decidedly ghostly or
spectral apparition which glows in the night which can disappear at will. The mysterious beast is
said to be able to change its shape or shape-shift and it can even take on other forms such as that
of a werepig werecattle or even werecranes. In these times many crimes were blamed on the beast
ranging from theft to the kidnapping of children. There was a significant belief in the beast by the
people and people were even put on trial much like the witch hunts of Europe and colonial America and
found guilty of being the fabled Beast. There's even the story of a man who was charged with
murder but he claimed to be a Rougarou. Due to this condition not being of his own making
he was acquitted of the murder charge but was still beheaded for being a Rougarou. As the
French and Canadian settlers migrated, they also brought their faith along with their superstitions
including the legend of the beast to Louisiana. It was eventually through the Cajun French that the
name Rougarou came to be. Che Cajuns also known as Acadians are a unique ethnic group that makes
up a significant portion of Southern Louisiana's population. According to folklore Rougarou is a
human beast that has been placed under a spell or a curse that is not easy to break. This also has
a connection to the religion of voodoo which brings us the legends of zombies. A Rougarou
has the opportunity to change back to a human after 101 days but only after finding another
compliant human who was willing to have the curse transferred to them. The former Rougarou is then
freed from the curse and allowed to take human form permanently. Yes good luck with that one.
Another way this can be done is by the Rougarou either attacking someone or in other versions
simply gazing into a person's eyes. In the past it was not uncommon for people to look upon strangers
or particularly odd, unusual people with great suspicion as it was thought that they may be one
of the feared beasts. However according to another account there really is no escape from the curse.
Once the human is cursed some believe it is permanent. The Rougarou forever lives a
life of shape-shifting into his beast form every night then being forced to transform
back to a human at sunrise. This is a similar condition to that of the traditional werewolf.
However unlike a werewolf during the day the Rougarou appears weak, sickly and vulnerable.
Unlike the werewolf silver bullets will not kill it, being a supernatural beast that has superhuman
strength speed and sharp claws and teeth. It is a formidable monster. However just like its cousin
the werewolf the Rougarou has its weakness. Some legends say that the beast can only be killed by
fire or like a vampire, decapitation. No a wooden stake through the heart will not work, while
others say it can be killed while it's in its vulnerable human form. But the Rougarou also has
its supporters as it is believed that Catholics in good standing who are Pious and generous will
have the creatures protection. The creature also according to some variations protects its
people against others who would present a danger like the Vironsusi of Finland. On that note one
story that has no verifiability but is still interesting nonetheless was that when British
forces attacked New Orleans during the War of 1812. This was when Major General Edward Pakenham
decided to attack the city and he sent several units on reconnaissance patrols. On January 8,
1815 the attack was ordered and two units the Highlanders of the 93rd and 95th Regiments of Foot
followed their orders. The 93rd skirted the river supporting 95th; part of the plan was a night
assault to take hundreds of men in small boats through a canal that had been dug allowing the
British to cross the river outflanking American Major General Andrew Jackson's forces. Despite the
British having numerical superiority the attack was a failure. The American and Indian defenders
harassed the British along the way. Many of the small boats sank and the final assault the next
day was repulsed. The number of British losses in the casualty reports are 291 killed, 1262 wounded,
and 484 missing, a total loss of 2087 men attacking a city in a war that was already over.
The Treaty of Ghent ending the conflict had been signed on December 24, 1814 in Ghent, Belgium.
What is interesting is that the story of the 484 missing men who were never found were for the most
part preyed upon by the Rougarou or in some cases helped by the Peremalfait, a swamp creature that
also lives in the bayous. It was said that some of the mercenaries under the command of Cajun pirate
Jean Lafitte supporting Jackson would not venture into the bayous at night, waiting until daylight
to collect weapons and gear from the dead enemy out of fear of the Rougarou and other creatures.
We know how to protect ourselves against vampires but what about the Rougarou? For protection legend
says to place 13 identical coins such as pennies or dimes at all entrances to your dwelling. When
the Rougarou comes across the coins it will begin to count them as it is a very curious
creature. However due to its incredibly poor math skills the beast can only count to 12. As it gets
to 13 it becomes very confused it will then recount the pennies over and over continuously.
The creature will be totally perplexed and transfixed as it encounters the number 13
until sunrise when the Rougarou is forced to retreat as its human form begins to resurface
at which time it is mortal and can be killed. A simple yet effective trick to protect oneself from
the beast. The Rougarou is an important element in Cajun legends just like the Grunch a type of
gremlin or goblin and of course the Peremalfait. You can see Renditions of the Rougarou on t-shirts
mugs in-themed parks and even roller coasters are named after it. The Rougarou festival at
Cedar Point, Louisiana is a prime example of the Rougarou's cultural popularity. Every year in
October the Rougarou Fest is held in downtown Houma. Cajun children know about the Rougarou
the Peremalfait and other creatures all too well and perhaps that is why they are so well behaved.
We hope you enjoyed this segment of Forgotten History. Please click like and subscribe for
free and please stay tuned and be engaged and informed. Send us comments if you have questions
or even show ideas and we will respond to all requests and comments as soon as we can thank you