This study examines the historical development of the musical forms in Yugur folk songs and the factors that influenced their evolution. As an integral part of the cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in Northwest China, Yugur folk songs embody a rich historical memory and cultural information. By examining the transformation of musical forms across three historical stages—traditional, modern, and contemporary—this paper reveals the characteristics of change in melody, rhythm, lyrics, singing styles, and social functions. The findings indicate that during the traditional period, Yugur folk songs maintained a high degree of originality, shaped by nomadic culture and multi-ethnic exchanges, which gave rise to a distinctive dual musical style. Since the modern era, under the impact of social changes and national cultural policies, the modes of dissemination, content, and functions of the songs have undergone significant shifts, leading to the coexistence of old and new musical forms. In the contemporary period, supported by intangible cultural heritage protection policies and modern media technologies, Yugur folk songs have transitioned from oral transmission to multi-channel dissemination, with certain forms evolving toward stage performance and popularization. Drawing on ethnomusicology, historical musicology, and folklore studies, and based on fieldwork data and literature analysis, this paper systematically traces the historical evolution of Yugur folk songs. The aim is to deepen the understanding of the musical culture of China’s ethnic minorities and to provide theoretical insights for the preservation and transmission of Yugur folk songs.