FAMOUS BABALAWOS OF CUBA: Gerardo de las Mercedes Valdez Montalvo "Ojuani Alakentu,"

aka "Che Che." The great awo was made by Bonfacio Valdez Ogbe Weñe, who was also his
adoptive father. Bonifacio was made by Esteban F. Quiñones Ika Meyi, who as made by the African
Ño Carlos Ade Bi. Most babalawos in Cuba and the world over know their line as "the line of Che
Che" and do not know who preceded him. Ade Bi's line includes Jose Antonio Ariosa, Valentin
Cruz, Perequito el Padre and Hijo, Ramon Febles, Panchito Febles, Pedro el Policia, Aracelio
Iglesias, Juan Angulo, and Bebo Angel Padron. Quiñones, Perequito Perez Padre, and Bonifacio
were founding members of the reorganized 1900 Chango Tedun in Havana, presided over by
Joaquin Cadiz Ogunda Tetura "Ifa Omi." Che Che lived in El Cerro and was married to Aida Chirino.
He died in 1968 after making dozens of Ifases. Among them were some of he most powerful
babalawos in Cuba, including Norberto Diaz Eyiogbe of Regla and Luciano Canto Iwori Bogbe of
Central Havana. Canto, a life-long student of his oyubona, Miguel Febles Odi Ka, was the godfather
of Diego Fontela Ogbe Yono, who played a major role in Ifa outside of Cuba. His Osha name was
Obalufan Dei. He was taught by the best and lived out their teachings such that he was highly
esteemed.