Armand Richard, a soft-spoken but intense man, is the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s Big Shot of 2003. Like many New Orleanians, Richard’s krewe—his Carnival club—is the subject of tremendous devotion and financial expenditure. “At this point, I bleed black and gold,” Richard confesses, citing Zulu’s royal colors. “I don’t mean the Saints colors either!”

The Big Shot of Africa, as is his full title, was a character created for...