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Madagascar is an island that lies to the southeast of the African continent. It has unique traditions that are a blending of the cultures of Africa, Asia, and the Arab countries, forming a culture that has been passed down from generation to generation.

However, in recent years, there is a vigorous trend toward modernization of the island's artists, giving rise to a trend toward a loss of traditional culture on the grass-roots level, of which folk music is no exception. In the midst of this trebd toward modernization, in the world of Madagascan music, there is a group called Derness that constantly works toward the preservation and carrying on of both the traditional values and the folk music of Madagascar. Derness was founded in July 1994, since which time it has been active in a broad variety of ceremonies, such as those for schools and those to pray for the repose of the souls of the dead.

One of the unique features of the music of Derness is the irregular rhythm called Kizole that is an amalgamation of the Betsileo tribeOs style of singing called Horija and the Bara tribeOs song-style called Sahetraka. Horija is a lyrical type of music that relates historical tales and legends and a style of melody that expresses such emotions as joy, sadness, and nostalgia, forming what can be best referred to as a source of inspiration accompanied by melody. Sahetraka is the cowherdOs song-style of the Bara tribe, and it is related to the traditional fighting style of the region. These two different cultures have been brought together to form the new type of tradition call Kizole.

Derness works toward stimulating interest in Madagascan culture through active introduction of the traditional Madagascan culture to the world in the form of wearing the folk costume of the Betsileo tribe as they dance a broad variety of traditional folk dances. The present tour of Japan is titled "Source-Minamoto." The purpose of the tour is to develop the Kizole style under such themes as "environment," "accord," "peace," "friendship," and "the relationship between mankind and nature." It is sincerely hoped that this tour will serve as an opportunity and an aid in deepening of understanding of Madagascar, an island that is known as "Asia in Africa."