Who was Ziona Chana who married 39 women and had world’s largest family

The sect grew most quickly beneath the stewardship of Chana to roughly having 3000 followers all of whom inhabit the identical village. (Credit score: Twitter/@ZoramthangaCM)

Mizoram-based Ziona Chana who had arguably “world’s largest household’ lately died, survived by his 39 wives, 89 kids and 36 grandchildren. The village home the place the entire household lived in Mizoram recurrently attracted vacationers and journalists alike for whom Chana and his household have been at least a serious vacationer vacation spot. Along with the plain attraction of polyandry and village-sized household dwelling beneath one roof, what amazes vacationers is their self sustainability as all members labored in the identical village together with patriarch Chana and by no means ventured out for a dwelling. In an unique piece, the Indian Specific dug into the historical past of Chana’s household, how the sect named ‘Chhuanthar’ (New Technology) which the household follows got here into being and who will finally succeed Chana because the patriarch of the home.

When did Ziona Chana come into the limelight?
HC Vanlalruata who’s an area Mizo journalist got here throughout the story of Chana and his sect Ziona within the 12 months 2010. Quickly after, the residence of the household “Chhuanthar Run” (New Technology Home) was flooded with reporters from nationwide and worldwide media desirous to cowl one of the eye-grabbing tales. The New Technology Home which reportedly accommodates all family members in over 100 rooms turned a first-rate vacationer spot of the state and can also be talked about on the state’s official tourism web site. With the rise within the variety of sect followers even outdoors the Ziona household, the realm surrounding the household residence stored on getting inhabited by sect followers.

62-year-old HC Lalringthanga, a nephew of Ziona, informed the Indian Specific that media from the UK, S. Korea, Japan, Australia and plenty of different international locations visited the Ziona family often. Having develop into a vacationer and media attraction, the bottom flooring was was a customer’s space whereas the highest three tales of the constructing homes the relations. Whereas lots of of media professionals and vacationers frequented the realm within the final 10-20 years solely few have been fortunate sufficient to get an viewers with Ziona himself who solely spoke Mizo language and was reportedly shy and reserved.

Origin of Ziona Chana sect
As per the analysis carried out by Mizo historian and instructor at Academy of Built-in Christian Research in Aizawl, Vanlalpeka, the sect traces its roots to a motion that had been separated from the Presbyterian church within the Thirties. The founding father of the sect was reportedly a person known as Khuahtuaha who is known to have been ex-communicated from the Presbyterian church for begetting an illegitimate baby, Vanlalpeka informed the Indian Specific. The historian additionally mentioned that after being evicted from the Presbyterian church group, Khuahtuaha established a colony along with his followers within the Baktawng village which is 70 km from the state capital Aizawl. What attracted individuals in the direction of Khuahtuaha was his magnetic character which made individuals settle with him, the historian mentioned.

Ranging from Khuahtuaha, the sect grew in dimension and was succeeded by his youthful brother Challianchana and finally by his nephew Ziona Chana. The sect grew most quickly beneath the stewardship of Chana to roughly having 3000 followers all of whom inhabit the identical village.

Lifetime of Ziona Chana household and followers
Individuals from the sect swear by polyandry as a ‘divinely ordained’ follow whereas sustaining a distance from the mainstream life surrounding their village and following financial sustenance. Khuahtuaha and Challianchana additionally practiced polyandry however Chana took the follow to a different stage by marrying a complete of 39 girls in his lifetime. Whereas the youngest spouse of Chana aged 40, the oldest aged greater than 70.

Vanlalpeka informed the Indian Specific that family members and sect preserve that polyandry had nothing to do with “sexual want” and was purely pushed by love. Vanlalpeka added that the declare of the relations should not be taken at face worth as there’s not a lot proof to that impact. As per a analysis paper revealed by Vanlalpeka, through the time of Khuahtuaha, the church perceived the sect followers as sexually perverted, plenty of immoral practices of the relations have been abolished when Chana turned the patriarch of the sect.

Vanlalruata, the native Mizo journalist who first introduced the sect in public eye view, informed the Indian Specific that regardless of visiting the family various instances, the component of secrecy among the many relations by no means obtained away. The journalist informed the Indian Specific that family members appeared very personal of their conversations.

What does the household do for a dwelling?
Most family members are extremely expert artisans together with carpenters, utensil makers amongst others. The merchandise produced by the household are offered out of the village and that’s the chief supply of earnings for the household, Vanlalpeka mentioned. Even Ziona Chana used to work within the fields starting from the primary ray of the solar nicely previous night, his nephew added.

Who will succeed Ziona Chana?
After Chana handed away on June 13, the excitement is rising concerning the new successor of the sect. Whilst two weeks have handed since his demise, the household is but to call his descendant. Lalringthanga informed the Indian Specific that the environment within the household was nonetheless very gloomy as all liked Ziona like a God.