During la Guelaguetza, the Desfiles de Delegaciones brought masked men (appearances to the contrary, most are men) to the streets of Oaxaca. From San Andrés Zautla delegation, the Danza de los Jardineros…
along with the village viejos (old men).
The guys and “gal” from the Danza de los Diablos of Santiago Llano Grande.
From the delegation of the Diosa Centéotl, Santa María Zacatepec.
The masked Danza de los Diablos dancers of San Sebastián Tecomaxtlahuaca.
Danza de la Pluma subalternos from Teotitlán del Valle and Villa de Zaachila.
Carnaval dancers from Putla Villa de Guerrero.
Never a dull moment in Oaxaca! Click on photos for enlarged images.
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Question: why are they all men? Why are the subalternos de las Danza de la Pluma in black mask? What do the men in rags represent? Are they from African roots such as the ones in New Orleans carnavals?What does the Danza de los Jardineros mean?
Thanks!
I realized that I didn’t really know the answers to your questions. So, I did a little research. The ceremonial wearing of masks has Pre-hispanic origins and probably has to do with acceptable gender roles. Originally, in the Danza de la Pluma, the role of the subalternos was to cheer up a depressed Moctezuma, so they dressed as Spaniards. Their masks are boar-like… a commentary on the Spanish, no doubt. The men wearing the costumes with streams of fabric are called tiliches. The costume is an integral part of Carnaval celebrations in Putla Villa de Guerrero. Given its location, Putla brings together Mixtec indigenous traditions and Afro Mexican traditions from the coast. The Danza de los Jardineros is a Spanish conquest era religious dance celebrating the victory of Christianity over Islam. (There are several Christians vs. Moors dances in Mexico.) And, I have learned that the women wearing dresses in the Jardineros dance really are women and have corrected my post. Thanks for compelling me to learn more!
You should edit a bit of the information the spelling is just wrong. I am from Oaxaca and I dance with “La danza de los diablos”
Please tell me what spelling is wrong and I will correct it.