Ziona Chana, Patriarch Of 'World's Largest Family' Has Passed Away

Jun 14, 2021 by apost team

Ziona Chana, 76, headed a Christian sect that allowed polygamy for men and passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2021. He has left behind 39 wives and 94 children along with 36 grandchildren. He resided in the Indian state of Mizoram, and his sect, which is called Chana Pawl, was actually founded in 1942 by Chana's father. 

However, it was Ziona who became famous due to his multiple wives and children, which is unconventional, to say the least. He was known as the man from India with an extremely large family who wanted to continue expanding it. In fact,  Chana was completely open to getting married again even in 2011, which would bring his total number of wives up to a staggering 40. While he may have held the record for having the world's largest family as BBC News reported that he may be in the running, we may never know if this is true as other people have tried to claim the same title. 

His last marriage took place in 2004 to a 24-year-old woman, and he stays close to all of his family members. Locals had said that he liked to have at least six to eight of his wives by his side at all times. 

His death is mourned by everyone in his family as well as major figures in the state of Mizoram. Al Jazeera reported that he died due to complications arising from his diabetes and hypertension. There are no reports or updates yet about what will happen to the family now that Chana has passed away. 

Chana lived in Mizoram state, which is located in a remote northeastern area of India, along with his wives, children, and grandchildren. The entire family resides in a building that includes four stories according to Reuters. This large 100-room structure, which serves as the family's communal dwelling place, is broken up into various sections. It is called the "Chuuar Than Run," which translates to "New Generation Home."

Ziona had his own private room that was close by to all of his wives sleep in a dormitory area. In fact, Al Jazeera reported that the mansion is a major tourist attraction in the state, with people from around the world thronging the village to get a peek into the family's lifestyle.

Scattered throughout the rest of the house are rooms for Ziona's sons along with their wives. One part of the home that everyone uses is the kitchen. The video below reported that the entire family worked together to make sure that various jobs are accomplished.

For example, the family's daughters do the laundry and clean the house while the sons work with livestock and perform the other farming responsibilities. The cooking is left to Ziona's 39 wives. Feeding so many people is quite a big job. Their average daily intake of rice is 200 pounds and 130 pounds for potatoes. 

Though this type of family structure may seem unusual to most people, it's the norm within the religious group which was led by Ziona, known as "Chana." This sect was founded in 1942 according to Reuters.

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Locals have said previously that Ziona liked to have around eight of his wives accompanying him around wherever he goes. Both their own resources and offerings that have been donated to the family had given Ziona and his family the ability to feed, clothe, and house such a large group of people living under one roof.

Ziona married his first wife when both of them were young. At the time they met Ziona was 17 years old and she was 20 years old. Over the years, he quickly added wives to his family. In fact, Ziona had said, “I once married 10 women in one year,” according to Reuters.

He also told the publication in 2011:

“Even today, I am ready to expand my family and willing to go to any extent to marry,” Ziona said. “I have so many people to care (for) and look after, and I consider myself a lucky man.”

It is with a heavy heart that his family will bid Chana goodbye. His death has already been mourned by senior political figures in Mizoram. Lal Thanhawla, former chief minister of Mizoram and a senior politician from the Congress party, said that Chana’s demise is a “very big loss to everyone”. “The family is very disciplined and there are a lot of things to learn from them,” he added.

The current Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, announced Chana’s death on Twitter. "With heavy heart, #Mizoram bid farewell to Mr. Zion-a (76), believed to head the world’s largest family, with 38 wives and 89 children," he wrote. "Mizoram and his village at Baktawng Tlangnuam has become a major tourist attraction in the state because of the family. Rest in Peace Sir!" he added. 

Our thoughts are with the Chana family during this difficult time. What are your thoughts on this unconventional type of family structure? Tell us what your thoughts are, and be sure to pass this onto others as well.