WORLD‑RENOWNED POLYGAMIST: Indian Patriarch Once Led the ‘World’s Largest Family’ with 39 Wives & 94 Children
Baktawng, Mizoram, India —
In the remote hills of Mizoram, India, one man captured the world’s imagination—not for fame or fortune, but for the extraordinary size of his family. Ziona Chana, leader of a little-known religious sect, became a global headline when it was revealed he lived with 39 wives, 94 children, 33 grandchildren, and countless in-laws—all under one roof.
At the time of his death in June 2021 at age 76, Ziona was widely believed to be the head of the largest family unit in the world, housed together in a sprawling four-story pink mansion known locally as Chhuan Thar Run (The House of the New Generation).
“I consider myself a lucky man to be the husband of 39 women and head of the world’s biggest family,” Ziona said in a rare interview in 2011. “We live together as one big, happy family.”
A Life Built on Faith and Family
Ziona was the leader of Chana Pawl, a Christian sect founded by his grandfather in 1942. The sect allows polygamy and encourages its male followers to marry multiple wives as a path to spiritual fulfillment and social unity.
He married his first wife, Zathiangi, at the age of 17. Over the decades, he continued to marry women from neighboring villages, some of whom were widows or in need of support. Zathiangi, his first and senior-most wife, managed the household with military precision.
The family shared responsibilities in shifts—cooking, cleaning, and raising children were communal efforts. While Ziona had a private bedroom, wives took turns spending the night with him, according to a rotating schedule overseen by Zathiangi.
The Home That Became a Landmark
Their 100-room home in Baktawng village became a tourist attraction. Visitors traveled from across India and abroad to see the unique family setup. Locals admired the family’s organization, unity, and economic self-sufficiency. The family grew their own food, ran carpentry workshops, and made crafts to support the household.
“It’s more like a well-run institution than a family,” one visitor told local media. “Everyone has a role. It’s peaceful and shockingly orderly.”
A Legacy That Divides Opinion
While many hailed Ziona’s ability to care for such a large family, others questioned the social and ethical implications of polygamy. The Guinness World Records did not officially recognize Ziona’s family due to the complexity of verification, but global media often referred to him as the man with the largest living family.
Medical complications eventually took his life, but his story continues to spark debate across cultural and religious lines. Was he a patriarch driven by faith and love—or a man who stretched the limits of family beyond reason?
Either way, Ziona Chana left behind more than just numbers—he left a legacy of discipline, communal living, and an extraordinary example of human organization.
