andrade was born in salto in 1901 to an argentine mother. josé ignacio andrade, who is said to have been his father, is listed on his birth certificate as a witness. the elder andrade, who was 98 years old when josé leandro andrade was born, was an expert in african magic and is said to be an african-born slave who escaped from brazil. at an early age, andrade went to live with his aunt in a slum in montevideo.