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b'In today\'s episode titled "The Babalawo," we delve deep into the world of Santer\\xeda - the religion, not the song. While many might recognize the song, few are familiar with this mysterious Afro-Cuban faith, also known as Regla de Och\\xe1, La Regla de If\\xe1, or Lucum\\xed, which translates to the worship of saints.\\nYou might wonder, "Where\'s the twist in this tale?" I\'ve always felt an unsettling vibe around this religion. My fellow Cubans often consult Santer\\xeda priests as if seeking divination. But is this genuine spiritual guidance, or am I unfairly biased against it? Spoiler: I might be letting my biases cloud my judgment.\\nTo truly understand, I need to immerse myself in the heart of Santer\\xeda, right in my hometown of Miami. But first, what exactly is a Babalawo?\\nA Babalawo is a revered figure in Santer\\xeda, a priest who communicates prophecies from the Orishas, spirits representing aspects of the divine God Olodumare. In this episode, we\'ll uncover the history and roots of Santer\\xeda, engaging in enlightening conversations with both a Santer\\xeda priest and priestess, shedding light on their clandestine ceremonies.\\n\\n\\u2014\\u2013MUSIC\\u2014\\u2013\\nOur theme music is crafted by the talented Joe Basile from The Chicken Music and Sound Design. Discover more about Joe and The Chicken at www.thechicken.net.\\nWe also feature tunes by Podington Bear.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices'