Rethinking British Folklore, Identity and Community
Last week Tamara Cincik and Meg Pirie sat down with BBC broadcaster and author Zakia Sewell to explore the themes of her debut book, ‘Finding Albion: Myth, Folklore and the Quest for a Hidden Britain,’ which reexamines British folklore through the lens of her mixed Caribbean and British heritage. The discussion highlighted the multicultural, pre-colonial roots of British folk traditions; the complex history of the Notting Hill Carnival; the rise of paganism amongst GEN Z; the often murky relationships we have with our flags; and the need for community and storytelling, now more than ever.
The Multicultural Roots of British Folk
Zakia challenges the notion that British folk culture is exclusively rural and white. Drawing on the chapter about the Notting Hill Carnival, she traces its origins from Trinidadian colonial festivities, once the exclusive, often oppressive, domain of the white planter class, to its reclamation by the formerly enslaved and its eventual evolution into a vibrant, multicultural British tradition.
When the carnival migrated to Britain, figures like Claudia Jones and Rhaune Laslett helped shape its unique identity, blending Trinidadian steel pan, Irish pipers, and the working-class vibrancy of London’s diverse communities.
“There’s always been an urban scene of British folk culture,” Sewell said, citing examples like the Jack in the Green festival, which originated with London chimney sweeps and milkmaids all the way back in the 1700s.
Albion: Britain as a Place of Refuge
Central to the book is the mythic idea of Albion, the ancient, mysterious name for Britain. Zakia recounts how, in medieval legend, Albion was settled by exiled Syrian women, a sanctuary for those seeking a new life. Zakia suggests that if such inclusive myths were more widely told, they could foster a more welcoming national narrative, one that recognises Britain’s history as a place of arrival and sanctuary, rather than that of exclusion.
The Complexities of National Symbols
The conversation delves into the often murky relationship the English have with their national symbols. Zakia points out that icons like St George’s Cross and its saint have little direct connection to England and they are, in a sense, imports. In contrast, Welsh national identity draws on deep-rooted mythologies like the red dragon and the Mabinogion, creating a more cohesive and inclusive sense of identity, connected to the land.
Zakia argues that England’s dominant symbols and myths were largely constructed during the rise of imperial Britain, and that national identity is always, to some extent, a creative act.
Flags, Exclusion, and the Struggle for Inclusion
The discussion touches on how far-right groups have weaponised national symbols like the St George’s Cross, making it difficult for many English people to express pride without feeling complicit in exclusionary politics. Zakia warns that by rejecting Englishness altogether, progressives leave the narrative in the hands of those with toxic visions. Instead, she calls for reclaiming English identity by drawing on radical traditions of protest and inclusivity, citing figures like William Morris, William Blake, and the Luddites.
The Resurgence of Paganism and Alternative Spirituality
Zakia observes a growing interest in paganism and alternative spiritualities among Gen Z, which the conversation interprets as a search for ritual, mystery, and community in a secular age. She connects this trend to a broader longing for connection with the land, with heritage, and with each other, amid the decline of mainstream religion and increased awareness of cultural appropriation.
Right to Roam and Community Reconnection
The conversation also explores the ‘right to roam’ movement, which advocates for freer public access to Britain’s countryside. Zakia links enclosure and land privatisation to the erosion of local identities and community traditions, arguing that restoration of access to land could help rebuild a sense of belonging rooted in place and shared story.
Folk Traditions as Community Cohesion
At the heart of Zakia’s vision is the idea that folk traditions, both old and new, are vital tools for community cohesion. Whether through local festivals, creative gatherings, or storytelling, these traditions give people reasons to come together, fostering pride and connection beyond narrow definitions of identity or heritage.
A Call to Rediscover and Reimagine
Zakia urges readers to seek out local traditions, mark the seasonal calendar, and engage with the stories that have always simmered beneath the surface of British life. By embracing the diversity and dynamism of British folklore, she believes we can counter exclusionary narratives and rediscover a sense of magic, community, and belonging in modern Britain.
Finding Albion is ultimately a call to reclaim and reimagine Britishness as an evolving, inclusive, and creative identity, one rooted in shared land, story, and the radical possibility of community.