It is said by some folks to be a landrace bird, but there is evidence that it was a developed breed at some point. It is not a chicken of the ‘common people.
People of wealth and community standing have these birds as status symbols and take great care of them.
They are thought of as good luck charms, with the blood and other parts of the bird being used in traditional medicine preparations.
The Ayam Cemani has magical powers and facilitates communication between the living and the spirit world.
As such, it is used as a sacrificial bird to please the gods. Its’ flesh is rarely eaten in Indonesia.
They were first imported to Europe in 1998 by a Dutchman named Jan Steverink.