Head Of ‘World’s Largest Family’ Dies Leaving Behind 39 Wives, 94 Children (Photos)

A photograph of the Chana family on January 30, 2011, in Baktawang, Mizoram, India [File: Richard Grange/Barcroft India/Getty Images]

A 76-year-old man believed to be the head of the world’s largest family has died in Mizoram state, northeastern India.

Ziona Chana who was battling diabetes and hypertension, died on Sunday leaving behind 38 wives, 89 children and 36 grandchildren.

The news was confirmed by Mizoram’s chief minister, Zoramthanga, who offered his condolences on Twitter “with a heavy heart“.

He said the village of Baktawng where the family live had become a “major tourist attraction” because of the family.

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.
Mizoram and his village at Baktawng Tlangnuam has become a major tourist attraction in the state because of the family.
Rest in Peace Sir! pic.twitter.com/V1cHmRAOkr

— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) June 13, 2021

Until his death, the 76-year-old was the leader of a local Christian sect, called Chana Pawl, which was founded by his father in 1942. It has about 2,000 members, most of them living in Mizoram’s Baktawang village.

Chana’s wives and children taking part in a ceremonial evening prayer [File: EPA]

According to Reuters, Ziona married his first wife when he was 17 and claimed he once married 10 women in a year.

With a total of 167 members, the family is the world’s largest, according to local media, although this depends on whether you count Mr Chana’s grandchildren.

In a 2011 interview with Reuters, Ziona said;

I am ready to expand my family and willing to go to any extent to marry. I have so many people to care for and look after, and I consider myself a lucky man.

Meanwhile, doctors told PTI news agency that Chana’s condition deteriorated at home in his village, Baktawng Tlangnuam. He was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening, where he was 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. One report claims he had 39 wives, 94 children, 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, which adds up to 181 people.

While various local news reports have referred to him as holding the “world record” for such a large family, it’s unclear which global record it is.

However world record or not, Chana and his family are a local sensation of sorts, attracting tourists to their village in India’s north-east.

Chana’s wives and children taking part in a ceremonial evening prayer [File: EPA]

Chana’s extrordinary life has grabbed several headlines over the years.

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, according to local media.

A general view of Chana’s 100-room house in Mizoram [File: Richard Grange/Barcroft India/Getty Images]

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.

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