Respect, Patience, and the Work: A Conversation with Alfredo Vela

Alfredo Vela has been crowned Obatalá since 1988, but his relationship with Lucumí began long before his own initiation.

After coming to New York from Ecuador as a child, Alfredo grew up in a predominantly Cuban community in Manhattan, surrounded by spiritual masses, drummings, ceremonies, and elders who would eventually shape his life in Ocha.

In this conversation, Alfredo talks about learning the religion by being present and doing the work: from working the room to learning the kitchen, preparing acheses, and eventually teaching others what had been passed down to him.

We also talk about the elders who shaped him, working alongside generations of Oriaté in New York, the importance of patience and respect, what has changed over nearly four decades, and what he believes younger olorisha need to carry forward.

And after crowning more than 40 godchildren himself, Alfredo reflects on what it means to preserve a lineage while still allowing each new generation to grow.

This is a conversation about learning slowly, showing up, respecting your elders, and understanding that Ocha is a lifelong process.