Mizoram: Patriarch of world’s largest family, finally laid to rest

Four days after being declared dead, Zionnghaka, popularly known as Ziona, who is believed to be the head of the world’s largest family consisting of nearly 200 members, has been

Four days after being declared dead, Zionnghaka, popularly known as Ziona, who is believed to be the head of the world’s largest family consisting of nearly 200 members, has been finally laid to rest at his village in Serchhip district in Mizoram on Thursday.

According to reports, the patriarch was buried in a grave specially arranged for him at the community’s sacred place near his mansion. The funeral of the Chhuanthar community chief was held at his residence “Chhuanthar Run” in Bawktawng’s Chhuanthar Tlangnuam under strict COVID-19 protocols.

Ziona, who headed a millennial denomination founded by his uncle in 1942, had died in a hospital in Aizawl on Sunday around 3 pm. He was suffering from old-age related complications.

He remained unconscious after being treated at his residence and was taken to Trinity Hospital in Aizawl, where doctors declared him “brought dead”.

As per Mizo tradition, he was supposed to be buried on Monday.

However, his family and members of the religious community refused to bury him as they were not convinced about his death. Later, the family declared that the leader passed away finally on Monday around 9 pm.

Ziona was married to 39 wives, of which 38 are still alive. He has more than 90 children and over 30 grandchildren.

Nearly 200 family members live in his four-storey mansion “Chhuanthar Run” located at Baktawng village in Serchhip district about 60 km from Aizawl.

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