Banzumana Sissoko (1890–1987) was a noted Malian Jeli and N'goni player.

It is interesting that in his immensely rich repertoire of both traditional and original songs, not a single one contains praises for a living person.

"[2] In his Maanland Mali (Moonscape Mali, 2002; collected into Nomad's Hotel: Travels in Time and Space), the Dutch writer and traveller Cees Nooteboom reports that, at daybreak on November 19, 1968, all small radio transmitters, which had been silent overnight, started playing Banzumana's melodies.

He had been banned by the President of Mali Modibo Keita's regime up to that night, as the lyrics of his songs said that all rulers would have been killed.

Nooteboom also reports the legend according to which Banzumana's instrument was able to fly, and played alone, when his master was sleeping.