Umsamo: meaning in the Bible and in dreams

Biblical meaning from Hearing God's Voice in Dreams by Apostle Nicholas V. Mbanjwa

Also: Ancestral shrine, Sacred corner, Ithala, Family shrine

What is umsamo?

Umsamo is the family shrine and ancestral altar: the sacred space at the back of the main traditional hut, opposite the entrance, with a raised shelf called ithala where sacred items, ceremonial utensils and family heirlooms are kept.

In the Bible, communicating with the dead is an abomination to the Lord; Saul died because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit (1 Chronicles 10:13). The umsamo is therefore understood as a portal to familiar spirits.

In a dream, the counsel for a believer who sees the umsamo is renunciation and prayer, never fear. The full meaning follows below.

What it means in a dream

A family shrine and ancestral altar — a portal to familiar spirits. It is typically located at the back of the main traditional hut, opposite the entrance, and features an elevated shelf or repository called ithala where sacred items, ceremonial utensils and family heirlooms are kept.

Higher ground for familiar spirits; a spiritual antenna for partaking and fellowshipping with divining spirits.

Communicating with the dead is an abomination to the Lord. In the Old Testament it was a sin punishable by death, and Saul died for having consulted a diviner.

⚠ When it is a warning

A portal for communicating with the dead
Spirits who masquerade as dead ancestors
Spirits that prey on souls and blood

How to tell the difference

Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? (Isaiah 8:19-20). Where the umsamo appears in a believer's dream, the counsel is renunciation and prayer. For those in Christ these spirits cannot establish a covenant, because Christ's covenant already secures the believer; they may only seek a spiritual influence, deceptive agreement or foothold. Direct the dreamer to pastoral support, never to fear.

Scripture

“‘Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 19:31 (WEB)

“‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people.
Leviticus 20:6 (WEB)

¹⁰There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, ¹¹or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. ¹²For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. Because of these abominations, the LORD your God drives them out from before you.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (WEB)

So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the LORD’s word, which he didn’t keep, and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire,
1 Chronicles 10:13 (WEB)

¹⁹When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter,” shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? ²⁰Turn to the law and to the covenant! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
Isaiah 8:19-20 (WEB)