Dwarfs in ancient Egypt appear to have suffered little due to prejudice.
This was the most
 serious
congenital abnormality recorded in ancient Egypt. Well known Egyptologists
Kent Weeks has recorded nine skeletons of this type, and Dasen lists 207
known representations of dwarfism.
The disease, known as achondroplasia, was probably caused by inbreeding,
and thus might very well have occurred in royal families. This disease
results in a head and trunk of normal size with shortened limbs. Examples
have been found even dating back to Egypt's predynastic period. We know of a
number of examples where dwarfs were well integrated into society, holding
important positions and marrying woman of normal stature.
This is not to say that the condition was not recognized by the
Egyptians, but tolerance was taught. In the Instruction of Amenemope
at the end of the 2nd millennium BC, a call for justice and forbearance is
provided:
Mock not the blind nor deride the dwarf nor block the cripple's path; don't tease a man
made ill by a god nor make outcry when he blunders.
We find dwafs in the form of gods, such as Bes.
While the Egyptian reasoning for dwarf gods such as Bes is unclear, some
have suggested that the belief sprang from an association with dwarfs as
familiar protective beings. It is likely that dwarfs benefited socially from
their resemblance to these gods.
We find examples of dwarfs in skilled positions such as jewelry craftsman
as depicted in the Old Kingdom tomb of Mereruka at Saqqara, and in other
wall paintings they are shown tending animals, undertaking agricultural work
and occasionally as entertainers for high officials. At other times they are
shown as serving important households sometimes as entertainers and in other
capacities.
 One example of a very
important dwarf was Seneb, a 4th or early 5th Dynasty dwarf. He was
overseer of the palace dwarfs, chief of the royal wardrobe and priest of the
funerary cults of Khufu. A fine statue depicts him with his family,
including his wife who was of normal stature, and two children. His
wife was known to have been a lady of the court and a priestess.
The ancient Egyptians called both dwarfs and Pygmies deneg. In fact,
ancient literature and references barely distingquish between Dwarfs and
Pygmies.
However, Pygmies, probably because they were usually foreign born, did not
enjoy the treatment given to dwarfs. They were usually imported from
tropical Africa and most often served in the capacity of dancers or
acrobats. While dwarfs might be a part of the court, the pygmies were
entertainment for the court, but valued in this respect. A letter from
Pepy II of the 6th Dynasty urges Harkhuf, who was on his way back from an
expedition to the south of the Sudan, to take great care of the dancing
pygmy he had acquired. The letter states that, "My majesty desires to
see this pygmy more than the gifts of the mineland (Sinai) and of
Punt".
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