Mikhail Fedorovich Pilipenko (b. 19.05.1936, v. Nezhikhov, Bragin district, Gomel region), a scientist in the field of ethnology. Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (1994). Doctor of Historical Sciences (1993), Professor (1995). Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Belarus (1999).
Studies on the theoretical issues of ethnography, the history of Belarusian ethnology, the ethnic history of Belarus, the history of the family of Belarusian peasants, the customs and rituals of Slavic peoples, the history of Belarusian national holidays, traditional folk beliefs, Belarusian art and folklore. Developed the concept of the origin of the Belarusian people, argued the answers to the questions: how did the Belarusian people emerge, its traditional culture, how did its ethnic territory form, determined its sources, center, clarified the answer to the question of the direct ancestors of the Belarusian people.
Author of more than 100 scientific papers, incl. 3 monographs.