TITLE - HWAET! #1
Recently announced to much excitement amongst the
zine-buying cognoscenti, “Hwaet!” is a brand new title jostling for space on
the folklore zine shelf. That’s a crowded shelf, but there’s always room for
another zine, especially when it’s as intelligent as “Hwaet!”. Packaged in a
black presentation envelope complete with wax stamp (which you’ll want to
keep), patience is required and rewarded as you loosen the string closure
holding it shut. Fear not, the contents more than live up to expectations.
In much the same way as all folklore zines, the aim of “Hwaet!” is to explore how ancient ideas can intrude into, and survive in, the present day. Each issue will have a specific theme, with the first issue’s being folklore and ancient traditions. The articles explore themes of the reinterpretation of ancient traditions and reconnection with nature. The zine’s introduction explains the origin of “hwaet!” (rhymes with “cat”) as the first word of the epic Beowulf poem which has been subject to much mistranslation and reinterpretation over the centuries.
Folklore-inspired music is covered in an interview with the band Green Lung, who share their influences and love of folk horror cinema, and a chat with Lindy Fay-Hella, vocalist with Wardruna, who explores the influence of nature on storytelling and lyric writing. There is also a curated Spotify playlist which can be accessed via a QR code. All this music provides excellent accompaniment to reading the zine!
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| "Hwaet!" has beautiful packaging. |
In what is possibly a first for a folklore zine, a video
game is featured in the form of the highly original horror title “Mundaun”.
Writer Luke Jackson uncovers the folklore origins and influences on the game.
Other fun features include a folky reading and watchlist, a folk horror trope
bingo game and the folk horror map of Britain. These last two are available as
prints from the web shop.
Amongst the other excellent articles, Ria Wigley explores the origins of vampires through the years up to the present day, and discovers that they have become a metaphor for the LGBTQ+ community, and George Parr takes an intelligent look at the cult TV show “Detectorists”, the folklorists’ favourite which has the theme of the past being uncovered in the present at the heart of its storytelling. Parr also proffers articles on the diverse meaning of rituals and the enduring legacy of the festival of Beltane, and why we still burn the Wicker Man. Both are deeply researched and informative. Bunty May Marshall rounds off the issue with a look at the prolific image of the “Three Hares” in folklore.
Apparently, I was the first person to place an order for “Hwaet!”: an accolade I shall be forever proud of. This zine has an identity all its own, with a strong inclusivity vibe running through it. It is easily on a par with the best folklore zines, and the content certainly matches the promise of its lush packaging. It’s intelligent and it looks good. “Hwaet!” has started strong and I wish it every success.
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