Aizawl (India): When Zionghaka alias Zion-a Chana passed away at the age of 76, he left behind 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren.
Zion-a, an ordinary resident of a village in Mizoram in North East India, had created a unique distinction for himself by being a man who, perhaps, headed the world’s largest family of 166 people.
He passed away at a hospital in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl yesterday due to complications related to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Because of the abnormally-huge family, his residence and the village, which is around 50 kms from Aizawl, has been a major tourist attraction. Because of the size, his family has even featured in an advertisement of a leading dishwashing brand.
Zion-a, born in 1945, belonged to a minor Christian sect formed in 1942 in Mizoram by his father. In the sect, polygamy is permitted.
He was 17 when he married his first wife, who was three years older to him, and his 38th and last marriage was in 2004.
To accommodate his huge family, Zion-a constructed a four-storey house called ‘Chhuan Thar Run’ (New Generation Home) in his village where all his wives, sons and their families stay together.
His daughters live separately with their husbands and families.
Expressing condolences over the demise, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga tweeted, “Mizoram and his village Baktawng Tlangnuam has become a major tourist attraction in the state because of the family. Rest in peace Sir.”
