The head of the world’s largest family has died in the Mizoram state.
76 year old Ziona Chana, the head of a religious sect that practiced polygamy, died on Sunday, leaving behind 38 wives, 89 children and 36 grandchildren. Chana reportedly suffered from diabetes and hypertension.
Doctors said that Chana was rushed to hospital on Sunday evening when his condition deteriorated at home in his village, Baktawng Tlangnuam. He was however, declared dead on arrival.
It’s hard to say if Chana was indeed the head of the world’s largest family since there are others who claim the title.
It’s also hard to estimate the exact size of Chana’s family. At least one report claims he had 39 wives, 94 children, 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, which adds up to 181 people.
Mizoram’s chief minister, Zoramthanga, offered his condolences on Twitter “with a heavy heart”.
The enormous family lives together in a four-storied house called “Chuuar Than Run” or New generation House, with 100 rooms. His wives share a dormitory near Chana’s private bedroom.
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.
Chana was born in 1945. He met his oldest wife, who is three years older than him, when he was 17.
The family belongs to a Christian sect, Chana Pawl, that has around 2,000 followers. They all live around Chana’s house in Baktawng Tlangnuam, about 55km (34 miles) from Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl.
The sect, which allows polygamy for men, was founded by Chana’s grandfather in 1942.
Source: bbc.com
