Monster Hunting: Nain Rouge
And let's meet up IRL at MIParaCon!
WHAT ARE WE DISCOVERING THIS MONTH?
MIParaCon!!!!
Don’t piss off a harbinger.
Remember to vote in the poll.
It’s August and that means at the end of the month is MIParaCon. Are you going? I’ll be there in the vendor rooms with my books and knitting. Come and say hi.
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The Nain Rouge was first recorded in 1883 in a collection of stories titled The Legends of Le Detroit by Marie Caroline Watson Hamlin. She describes the Nain Rouge as a dwarf that is "Very red in the face, with a bright, glistening eye; instead of burning, it froze, instead of possessing depth emitted a cold gleam like reflection from a polished surface, bewildering and dazzling all who came with its focus." (Am I alone in asking why only one eye glistened?)
Other accounts describe the Nain Rouge as a small and furry creature. Sometimes the fur is black and other times it is red. Some scholars believe the Nain Rouge has Native American origins. He's a mash up of French and Native American traditions. There is a Native American legend that tells of an "impish offspring of the Stone God".
THE LEGEND BEGINS
The year is 1701. A party honoring Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac is being thrown in St. Louis, Quebec. Among the attendees is a fortune teller with a black cat perched on her shoulder. After reading various guests’ palms, she turns to Cadillac and takes his and shares what she sees.
He would start a great city. It would see prosperity beyond his wildest dreams. (Later that year, Cadillac did found Detroit.) But his future turned grim. She warned of bloodshed and strife. A struggle with the English for its possession. Danger from local tribes. That didn't deter Cadillac and he urged her to continue. He inquired what his children would inherit from him. Her reply:
"Your future and theirs lie in your own hands, beware of undue ambition; it will mar all your plans. Appease the Nain Rouge. Beware of offending him. Should you be thus unfortunate, not a vestige of your inheritance will be given to your heirs."
IF ONLY HE HAD LISTENED
If only Cadillac had heeded her warning. Years later, while out for a walk with his wife, Cadillac crossed paths with a strange creature. He hit it with his cane and told it to go away. The creature took off laughing.
It went down hill for Cadillac after that. He was charged with abuse of power and sent to Louisiana. When he returned to France, he was imprisoned. He lost his fortune. His children inherited nothing. Every word the fortune teller said came true.
From that moment on, every terrible event for the city was predicted by the Nain Rouge's appearance.
He was seen before the Battle of Bloody Run in 1763. Afterward, he was spotted dancing among the corpses along the banks of the Detroit River.
In 1805, people saw him walking the streets of Detroit. Later that year, a fire decimated most of the town.
The misfortunes of General William Hull in the War of 1812 is attributed to the Nain Rouge. The general claimed he saw the red dwarf grinning as he surrendered Detroit to the British army. He would late be sentenced to death for military incompetence.
The Nain Rouge was spied before the week-long riots in 1967.
And climbing a utility pole in March 1976 shortly before Detroit was hit with a terrible ice storm.
That was the last time he was seen, though. There have been many tragedies to hit the city, but the little, red demon has stayed out of the spotlight. Maybe he is pleased enough by his enduring legend that he no longer feels the need to prance around before disaster strikes. After all, he has become a celebrity in Detroit.
MARCHE DU NAIN ROUGE
When Spring arrives, Detroit holds a costumed parade called Marche du Nain Rouge. And while the event organizers like to claim the event has been going on for the past 300 years, it's origins are much more recent. And humorous. It started as a beer-fueled idea of some college students. From there, it grew into the celebration it is today with floats and bands. People dress up with many donning red. An effigy of the Nain Rouge is destroyed, and evil is banished for another year.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE NAIN ROUGE?
Do you know of any tales of harbingers? Ever been the celebration in Detroit? Next year, I would like to check it out. I missed out this year because of house buying.
My next email will drop into your inbox on the 27th. Keep your eyes open because I will be sharing the fairy garden I made.
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Until next time, stay spooked!
The one harbinger I know about is the Grey Man of Pawley's Island. If he's seen walking along the beach, that means there is about to be a terrible hurricane. I believe he was seen before Hurricane Hugo, which was an incredibly devastating storm. And I want to think he was seen more recently but I can't recall which storm. It might have been Hurricane Matthew.
There was also a Nain Rouge Brewery in Detroit as well. Also I need a trip to Detroit. It's been too long.