Some Waorani preferred to remain in the old hunting grounds, in spite of the fact that spearing raids continued between the different communities. Following a particularly vicious raid, one of the groups, led by a Waorani called Tagae, in fear of reprisals and for their own safety, fled. They began to live in self imposed isolation, and killed anyone who approached them including their own close relatives, believing it was safer that way than to risk reprisals. As time passed their anxiety, and their notoriety, increased. During the sixties, eleven attacks by Tagae's group resulted in the deaths of twenty outsiders. Meanwhile, among other isolated groups still living traditionally, the old fears and deep hostilities lingered on. One of these groups, living on the Gabado river, included a man called Caempaede.

Tonyae, a Wao* living at Tewaeno, was related to Caempaede, and went to contact the group at Gabado in an effort to persuade them to come to live in peace with others at the protectorate. When Tonyae arrived, Caempaede's group seemed to accept him; and, in preparation for contact with outsiders, they even help Tonyae cut an airstrip, but then Caempaede's group grew nervous. They killed Tonyae with an axe, and then fled the area, fearing reprisals. When Tonyae did not return to Tewaeno, Rachel Saint and Dayuma flew over the area around Gabado, calling to Caempaede's group through a loudspeaker fixed on to the aircraft. Some of the group were persuaded that it would be safe to meet them at the new airstrip that had been cut with Tonyae. This peaceful meeting paved the way for more regular contact, and it was then that Jim Yost, a young American anthropologist working under the auspices of a missionary organisation called the Summer Institute of Linguistics, first met Caempaede and the rest of his community. It was the beginning of a long relationship for Jim and the Waorani, based on a growing friendship and trust.

* "Waorani" is plural. "Wao" is the singular form; also, when used as an adjective, it is usually Wao house, Wao language etc.