Rite of passage: 'Long Line of Ladies' (film)

Long Line of Ladies (LA Asian Pacific Film Festival)

I called my dad and told him my menstrual period began. He was so happy, he rushed home.

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When does a girl become a woman? Ihuk

VCM) "Long Line of Ladies is a stigma-breaking, female-directed short documentary that gives viewers a glimpse into the story of the Karuk tribe of Northern California.

"It takes a significant step forward, normalizing period conversations by highlighting a culture that celebrates and uplifts its young women when they come of age."

From Academy Award-winner Rayka Zehtabchi and Shaandiin Tome, Long Line of Ladies intimately observes the months-long process of one girl, her family, and their tight-knit Karuk as they come together to prepare for her Ihuk.

• Website: Karuk Tribe (karuk.us)
• Indigenous America's most sacred landmarks (USA)
• Ty'ithreeha Allen's Ihuk Ceremony: Alliance for California Traditional Arts (actaonline.org)

Are goddesses only symbolic?

The Ihuk is the Native American tribe's coming-of-age ceremony for girls, which had gone dormant for over a century due to the violence and destruction brought on by the new Americans and their California Gold Rush.

In the weeks leading up to her Ihuk, Native American girl Ahty learns traditional songs and dances and mentally and physically prepares to spend four days blindfolded and fasting on sacred, tribal land.

Meanwhile, the women and men of the tribe around her support and uplift her as they pass down knowledge, prepare regalia, and above all promote the continued revitalization of their sacred ceremony. 

• The Ihuk Ceremony and Maple Bark Skirts - Alliance for California Traditional Arts (actaonline.org)

When I was a girl

The Daughter-Goddess Persephone

My name is Ty’ithreeha Allen. I am 16 years old now. I had my Ihuk ceremony when I was 12. I grew up attending flower dances, which are coming-of-age ceremonies held for [Indian] girls who have become young women at the onset of their period. My mom was pregnant with me when the first flower dance, or Ihuk as it is called in the Karuk language, was held again after not being held for over 80 years. So I have grown up attending the dance and other ceremonies my entire life. I have grown up dancing, learning, and practicing my culture. My family and I prepared for my Ihuk for two years before the actual ceremony took place. All of that prepared me for my Ihuk as I entered womanhood. More

Discussion with the filmmakers

It's good to get our ancient culture back.

LONG LINE OF LADIES: Film by Rayka Zehtabchi and Shaandiin Tome, featuring Ahty, the Allen family, and the Karuk community. Produced by Garrett Schiff, Rayka Zehtabchi, Sam Davis, Pimm Tripp-Allen, and Dana Kurth. Exquisitely shot and edited by Sam Davis. Original score by Forrest Goodluck and Juan Kleban. Executive producer Melissa Berton. 

OFFICIAL SELECTION: DOC NYC—Shortlist Cinema Eye Honors—Nominee Sundance Film Festival SXSW Film Festival—Grand Jury Award for Best Short Documentary Seattle International Film Festival—Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Documentary, Audience Award for Best Short Film Indy Shorts—Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award San Francisco International Film Festival—Golden Gate Award for Best Documentary Short Port Townsend Film Festival—Best Documentary Short American Indian Film Festival—Best Short Documentary Camerimage Palm Springs International ShortFest Edmonton International Film Festival—Best Documentary Short Los Angeles Asian Pacific Islander Film Festival—New Visions Award DOC NYC—Odyssey Impact #MyJustice Award Salute Your Shorts Film Festival—Honorable Mention, Best Documentary Short; Award for Outstanding Cinematography Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival.

• Visual Communications Media, April 11, 2022; The New York Times (longlineofladies.com); Shared by Iz E, Dhr. Seven, Xochitl, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly