Intelligence Squared

Why Are Ancient Myths Resurfacing in Modern Britain? With Zakia Sewell

March 20, 2026

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  • The resurgence of folk and pagan traditions in modern Britain reflects a collective yearning for alternative ways to make sense of identity, ecological uncertainty, and political instability. 
  • Zakia Sewell argues that exploring 'Albion'—an alternative, hidden spirit of Britain—reveals radical histories and diverse ancestral connections that challenge dominant, exclusionary national myths. 
  • Folk culture, while sometimes perceived as twee, functions as a vital counterculture that embraces complexity, holding both the magical and the dark, imperial aspects of Britain's past simultaneously. 

Segments

The Genesis of the Quest
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(00:03:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The author’s quest for an alternative spirit of Britain was kickstarted by the music of the 1960s folk band Pentangle.
  • Summary: Sewell begins with a reading that traces her inspiration to a Pentangle concert in 2008, explaining how their music, blending traditional songs with jazz and psychedelia, served as a gateway to exploring British folk culture, ancient myths, and seasonal rites.
Defining Albion and Paganism
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(00:07:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Albion is the ancient, mysterious name for Britain, representing an ‘alternative spirit’ beneath dominant national myths.
  • Summary: Sewell explains the origin of ‘Albion’ from early Greek geographers and mythological tales. She also defines the Wheel of the Year and describes her own practice as ‘Pagan light,’ valuing nature reverence without dogma, which connects her to both British soil and Caribbean ancestry.
Folk Frenzy and Counterculture
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(00:15:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The current folk renaissance reflects a modern yearning for connection and alternatives amid ecological and political uncertainty.
  • Summary: Sewell notes a contemporary ‘folk frenzy,’ visible online and in mainstream culture. She argues that folk customs, like Morris dancing, are cool precisely because they contrast with aggressive national symbols, and they reveal radical histories of protest.
Folk Culture’s Darker Side
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(00:30:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Folk culture is not a utopian escape; it must be examined honestly to hold both its magic and its dark, exclusionary past.
  • Summary: Sewell confronts the relationship between fascism and folk culture, citing racist collectors like Cecil Sharp and the problematic history of blackface in Morris dancing. The goal is to find stories that acknowledge this darkness rather than ignore it.
Mixed Heritage and Roman Britain
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(00:19:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Caribbean and British folk traditions are deeply entangled, and archaeological evidence like the Ivory Bangle Lady challenges exclusively white narratives of the British past.
  • Summary: Sewell discusses the cultural exchange evident in Notting Hill Carnival’s roots and the survival of English folk drama in the Caribbean. She highlights the high-status, mixed-race ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ of Roman York as an ancestor for all Britons.
The Need for Collective Conjuring
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(00:38:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Folk culture is a living tradition, and listeners are invited to find their own sources of hope and counter-narratives to exclusionary visions of Britishness.
  • Summary: Sewell asserts that folk is dynamic, not just nostalgic. She concludes by encouraging listeners to seek out their own sources of cultural hope and meaning, emphasizing that finding alternatives to dominant, exclusionary narratives requires a collective effort.