Placage Pronunciation: /plaˈkaːʒ/ (pla-KAHZH) Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A historical practice found in colonial Louisiana. In placage, white men entered into semi-formal, long-term relationships with free Black or mixed-race women. These agreements often included property and financial support for women and their children, but did not provide legal marriage rights. Placage helped some Black women and families gain social and economic advantages, yet it maintained racial hierarchies.
Synonyms: Concubinage, extralegal union (historic)
Example: Placage allowed many Black Creole families in New Orleans to gain property and status, despite a lack of legal marriage.