VIVA NOLA November 2019

unning into the same scenario. “Every time
I introduced myself to someone, when I told
them I was from Guatemala, they answered
me with the usual saying, ‘Ah, from
Guatemala to Guatepeor,’ and I didn’t like
that,” said Doctor Nativo. [Meaning “from
Guatebad to Guateworse,” a wordplay of the
ending syllables of the country’s name.] “It
never seemed positive to me, so I decided
to give it a spin and honor our Mayan
ancestors with the word Guatemaya. And
that’s how it stayed,” he tells us.
“The amalgam of reggae and cumbia with a
touch of hip-hop in a high-dance acoustic
performance” is what made local promoter
John Driver bring the band into the city.
“He’s very charismatic,” added Driver.
The most recent album is precisely titled
Guatemaya and was finally released in 2018.
The tour in support of the album has taken
Doctor Nativo through several cities in the
United States and Canada, and culminates
on December of this year.
Doctor Nativo’s band is currently comprised
of four more members, including his wife,
and his cousin. “I hope I am known as
someone who gives himself without asking
for anything in return,” says the Doctor who
shares his time between Guatemala and
Miami.
Driver, the local promoter, has been
convinced of the power of Doctor Nativo.
“My hope is to bring him to New Orleans
again in January,” he hints.