đź“…This fact may be outdated
Ziona Chana died on June 13, 2021, at age 76. While the basic facts about his family size and home were accurate during his lifetime, the present tense makes this statement false as of 2021. The family still lives together in the same house after his death.
A man named Ziona Chana lives in a 100 room, four storey house set amidst the hills of Baktwang village in the Indian state of Mizoram and has the world's biggest family with 39 wives, 94 children, 14 daughters-in-law and 33 grandchildren.
The Man Who Had 39 Wives and the World's Largest Family
In the remote hills of Mizoram, India, stood a massive four-story purple house with 100 rooms—home to what was recognized as the world's largest family. At its head was Ziona Chana, a man who lived with 39 wives, 94 children, 14 daughters-in-law, and 33 grandchildren under one roof.
Ziona died on June 13, 2021, at age 76, but his extraordinary family legacy lives on.
A Religious Movement Built on Polygamy
Ziona wasn't just building a large family for fun—he was the leader of Chana Pawl (also called Lalpa Kohhran Thar), a Christian sect founded by his grandfather in 1942 that practiced polygamy. The sect had around 2,000 members, but Ziona's immediate household numbered 181 people at its peak.
He married his first wife when he was 17, and continued adding to his family throughout his life. His youngest wife was reportedly in her early 20s when he died.
Life in the 100-Room Mansion
The family's home in Baktawng village was a sight to behold. The four-story building had:
- 100 rooms to accommodate the massive family
- A dormitory-style arrangement where wives slept in communal rooms near Ziona's private quarters
- Shared kitchens where the women prepared meals in rotation
- A massive dining hall where the entire family ate together
Daily life required military-level organization. The family consumed about 200 pounds of rice and 130 pounds of potatoes every day. Thirty chickens vanished into their cooking pots at dinner time. Wives took turns cooking, cleaning, and managing the household in organized shifts.
The Wives' Hierarchy
Ziona's wives lived in a structured hierarchy. His older wives had more authority and managed household duties, assigning tasks to younger wives. They all lived in dormitories arranged by seniority, with seven or eight women sharing each room. The youngest wife, Zathiangi, was Ziona's favorite and had a room closest to his bedroom.
Despite what outsiders might expect, several wives told journalists they were happy with the arrangement. They cited shared domestic burden and a strong sense of community. "We stay together, we love each other, and we never fight," one wife told reporters.
Record Books and Fame
Ziona's family earned recognition from multiple record-keeping organizations. The World Record Academy named them the "Biggest Family" in 2011. London World Records followed suit in 2019. Interestingly, when Guinness World Records came calling, Ziona refused the title—he shunned publicity and preferred to live quietly with his massive clan.
Still, journalists from around the world made pilgrimages to Baktawng village. The family became a tourist attraction, with curious visitors hoping to glimpse the unusual household.
After Ziona's Death
When Ziona died in 2021 from complications related to diabetes and hypertension, Mizoram's Chief Minister Zoramthanga tweeted condolences, calling him an inspiration. The family continues to live together in their 100-room house, maintaining the traditions and lifestyle Ziona established. His eldest son has taken over leadership of both the family and the religious sect.
The question of whether they still hold the record for "world's largest family" is debatable—other large polygamous families exist, particularly in parts of Africa and the Middle East. But the Chana family remains one of the most documented and photographed examples of an extraordinarily supersized household.