Sometimes referred to as the Mormons of Mizoram, they are recognised for practising polygamy and at one time housing the single biggest family in the world.
[3][4] As of 2021, the adherents have spread to various parts of Mizoram pursuing different professions, and are estimated to number over 2,000 followers in 433 families.
[5] As the most popular leader of the sect, Ziona (1945–2021) was globally renowned for fathering a single largest family in the world, with 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild at the time of his death.
He established followers at Hmawngkawn village, where he allegedly had an apparition of three strangers who told him that he was destined to be one of the three stars and instructed him of new religious practices.
[17] He was the first to adopt a kind of spiritual sex called khurbing by which men and women form illicit extramarital couples.
The British missionaries perceived the Mizo traditional drum deeply rooted in and associated with pagan rituals,[19] and denounced the use as an instrument of worship.
[21] Upon these subversive practices, the Presbyterian Church officially condemned the group as dissenters for upholding liberal, "wrong and dangerous" theology and excommunicated them in 1942.
[23] Supported by his brother Chana (full name Challianchana), Khuangtuaha formally established a new sect on 12 June 1942.
[25] The sect still celebrate the foundation date as "Bawkte Kut" (literally meaning "Festival of the Hut" referring to the initial settlement) every year.
A popular account that he and his sect were evicted from Hmawngkawn by the village chief,[2][27][28][29][30] with the support from British officers,[31][32] is not true.
He is interred at Hmawngkawn cemetery, where the inscription on his tombstone reads:Kan pa hmangaih ram hruaitu Khuangtuahthanga Mizoram hmingthang berte zinga mi chu March 30, 1955-ah Lalpa hnenah a chawl ta.
[Our father and beloved leader Khuangtuahthanga one of the most famous people in Mizoram died on 30 March 1955 to rest with the Lord.
][33]There are two memorial stones erected in Hmawngkawn, one of which bears the headline inscription:Kan pa nunhlun zirna sikul hawngtu hmasa ber Khuangtuahthanga chu March 30, 1955-ah Lalpa hnenah a chawl ta.
He was known to foretell important political events including disbandment of Mizo tribal chieftainship by the government, departure of British missionaries, Independence of India and the rise and fall of Hitler.
He also introduced a proper worship place called Inpui (mansion or temple), a complex of his quarters, church and community hall, constructed in 1956.
[18] In 1966, Mizoram faced a social and political turbulence following the Mizo National Front uprising that struggled for independence from India.
With focussed division of labour, families were motivated to take up manual jobs of their interest; they became specialised in farming, carpentry and tinsmith.
By the time Mizoram was given an inclusive administrative system as Union Territory in 1972,[45] political and economic lives were rehabilitated.
[46] Chana's community became a self-sustaining "industrial colony," and a formidable social and political force as they managed to get majority of votes in government elections, especially in those of village council.
As they became a consolidated community without any officially approved recognition, Darhmingliana, the Administrative Officer of Baktawng, suggested them the name Lalpa Kohhran Thar.
[42] His massive four-storied house called Chhuanthar Run (CTR, meaning "Abode of the New Generation") enclosed more than 100 rooms for 200 inhabitants of Ziona's direct family.
[52] Ziona's personality and social organisation attracted many people and he was joined by many new followers, with a total of about 3,000 members in the sect,[23] in 350 families.
[23] Since his father, the sect leader did not intervene in marriage proceedings, which are solely decided and organised by the elected priests.
[66] The work culture started by Chana and fostered by Ziona made the sect one of the most industrious communities in Mizoram.
[68] The community is part (an official branch) of the Young Mizo Association, the largest non-governmental organisation in Mizoram.
[58] In 2007, he was formally proposed for entry into the Guinness, but as the officials visited him for verification and documentary evidences, he refused to have his photograph taken.
As their public spokesman C. Lalrinthanga explained, "Where we differ is putting into practice what the Gospel tells us, like charity, hard work, honesty, helping thy neighbours, simplicity and equality.
[74][76] Ziona's birthday is celebrated on 21 July with all-day activities including church service, parading, and choral performances.
"[22][64] Members are free to choose their profession, education, and public services including voting in government elections.
As a prominent example, C. Larinthanga, who joined the sect in 2007[23] and holds the responsibility of public relations is a bank officer under the Government of Mizoram.