Ziona Chana, patriarch of Christian sect in India, dies, leaving 38 wives and 89 kids

Ziona Chana, the head of an enormous family in India's northeastern Mizoram state, died Sunday, Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga confirmed. He was 76 and leaves behind at least 38 wives, 89 children, and 36 grandchildren; some reports put his family at 181 people — 39 wives, 94 children, 33 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Chana has been described as the head of the world's largest family, though "there are others who claim the title," BBC News reports. The family lived together in a four-story, 100-room purple house in the village of Baktawng Tlangnuam, and curiosity about the family made the village a tourist attraction in Mizoram state. Chana was the head of a Christian sect, Chana Pawl, started by his grandfather in 1942. The sect has about 2,000 followers around Baktawng Tlangnuam. Polygamy is allowed for men, but not all men in the sect.
60 Minutes Australia visited the village in 2018 and asked Chana and other locals most of the questions you probably have about how this domestic living situation worked.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chana reportedly suffered from diabetes and hypertension, and his condition deteriorated Sunday, BBC News reports. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
July 6 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include paying for school lunch by enlisting, and the banality of evil
-
5 biting editorial cartoons about 'Alligator Alcatraz'
Cartoons Artists take on dangerous green things, historical precedent, and more
-
A journey into the deep past on beautiful Arran
The Week Recommends New Unesco Global Geopark played a 'key role' in the birth of modern geological science
-
Ukraine scrambles as Trump cuts weapons deliveries
Speed Read The halting of weapons shipments was driven by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, a Ukraine funding skeptic
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Iran nukes program set back months, early intel suggests
Speed Read A Pentagon assessment says US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites only set the program back by months, not years. This contradicts President Donald Trump's claim.
-
Trump says Iran and Israel agreed to ceasefire
Speed Read This followed a night of Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and multiple waves of missiles fired by Iran
-
Israel strikes Iran, killing military and nuclear chiefs
Speed Read Israeli officials said the attack was a 'preemptive' strike on Iran's nuclear program
-
Israel deports Thunberg after seizing Gaza aid boat
speed read The Swedish activist was delivering food and medical aid to Palestine, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis there
-
Colombian senator shot on streets of Bogotá
speed read Miguel Uribe Turbay, who has announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election, was shot at a rally