This article explores how daily experience of the women living in the polygamous family in Langsa, Aceh. The primary argument proposed in this paper is that conflict, in fact, emerges from husband decision to practice polygamy in domestic life despite the belief of some women who accept that Islam countenances the practice of polygamy. The conflict sometimes arises among wives, between husband and the wives or among children of different wives. To prove such argument, the investigation of the daily experience of polygamous family such as the relation among the wives, household financial management, articulation of fairness on both physical and spiritual fulfilment, celebration of religious days (‘Idul Fitri and ‘Idul Adha), as well as upbringing of children was carried out during second semester of 2011. The data was collected through semi-structured interview, observation to the domestic life of the polygamous family, and documentation on divorce suit as a result of practiced polygamy. This study revealed that peaceful family (keluarga sakinah) as often regarded as one of the ultimate goals of marriage would never be attained through such practice.

Tulisan berikut mengeksplorasi pengalaman keseharian perempuan dalam keluarga poligami di Langsa, Aceh. Argumen pokok yang diajukan adalah meskipun sebagian perempuan dipoligami mempercayai pernikahan poligami dibolehkan Islam, namun konflik akibat keputusan suami berpoligami memenuhi lanskap kehidupan rumah tangga mereka. Konflik terkadang berlangsung antara sesama istri, antara suami dengan para istrinya, ataupun antara sesama anak dari istri yang berbeda. Untuk membuktikan argumen tersebut, penulis menelusuri pengalaman keseharian keluarga poligami, baik menyangkut relasi antar para istri, pengelolaan ekonomi rumah tangga, artikulasi konsepsi adil baik secara batiniah dan lahiriah, pengalaman ketika perayaan hari besar agama (idul Fitri dan idul Adha), dan perkembangan anak. Data dikumpulkan selama semester kedua tahun 2011, melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur, observasi kehidupan keseharian keluarga dipoligami, dan penelusuran dokumentasi tentang gugatan perceraian karena suami berpoligami. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa keluarga sakinah yang seringkali