Long before European settlers the area was lived in by Native American tribal people. The settlers from abroad came here with different cultural values, religious beliefs, and social and political ideals. Although it may be difficult to clearly see the impact now, current US cities that were colonized by the French may have a deeper native American influence than other cities originally colonized by the British. In general, the French developed a much friendlier and more mutually beneficial relationship with the Native peoples than the British did. French settlers were more inclined to learn native languages, participate in trading fur and other goods, and learn about native foods and medicines, and intermingle bits of culture. It's likely that those with a friendly relationship traded philosophy as well as recipes.
This came up for me yesterday when I was working on some research and writing about Louisiana folklore, and looking for references about the Cajun tale of the Rougarou. The word Rougarou is almost interchangeable with the word 'Loop Garou', which is the French way of saying 'Werewolf'. Stories told most frequently about this creature describe it as a large hairy creature with the body of a man and the head of a wolf, and the suggestion that the creature was once a man who transformed into an animal, and who may have the power to transform others. In Louisiana, stories of the Rougarou have been used to scare children into good behavior for centuries, potentially. It's the thing out in the swamp howling at night, and could come snatch you up if you don't behave, or if you wander out into the forbidden wilderness. I'm still tracing the history of the story as it applies to local folklore in New Orleans, and found that other than being a new interpretation of an old French legend, it joins and mingles here with some Native concepts and stories.
So, in New Orleans we have been influenced by the French, British and Spanish settlers; the original tribal peoples in the area, and also by Africans and others who became part of the culture during the years of slave trading. They brought beliefs and ideas that have transferred themselves into modern practices of Voodoo, Santaria, and other related paths.
The result for any kind of spiritual or mystical person living in New Orleans today is interesting and difficult to describe. It's definitely a place I encourage people to visit and explore, because some things are beyond words and the experience of being in this place can be very beautiful.
Want to know more about Louisiana folklore and history, and the Rougarou?
Louisiana History Wikipedia
Cajun French Loup Garou
Awesome Picture of the Rougarou Statue at the Audubon Zoo
Louisiana Folklore: Rougarou, Wikipedia article
Cajun Folklore and the Rougarou, article by Brandon Folse
Article by Jamie Lugibhl on the Louisiana Folklore Legend of the Rougarou
Scholarly article on Pre Columbian and Early American Legends about Bigfoot-like beings (From : Traditional Attitudes Toward Bigfoot in Many North American Cultures, By Gayle Highpine)
Detroit and New Orleans: le Loup Garou
Cryptozoology: The Rougarou
If you have any other references to stories of the rougarou or loup garou, particularly ones that include a naughty little boy or girl who gets snatched up and what happens to them, let me know! I'm working on a reaserch page about the Rougarou and that story. Thanks! :D
